Working Parents Working Parents For a Working For a Working

New YorkNew York

A New York City Council Initiative A New York City Council Initiative

sponsored bysponsored by

Councilmember Bill de BlasioCouncilmember Bill de Blasio

PartnershipsPartnerships

SUPPORTED BY THE N.Y. UNION CHILDCARE SUPPORTED BY THE N.Y. UNION CHILDCARE COALITIONCOALITION((A Committee of the New York City Central Labor A Committee of the New York City Central Labor Council & New York State AFL-CIO) District Council Council & New York State AFL-CIO) District Council 37, AFSCME; Local 237 Teamsters; Local 1199, SEIU; 37, AFSCME; Local 237 Teamsters; Local 1199, SEIU; Transit Workers Union, Local 100; United Federation Transit Workers Union, Local 100; United Federation of Teachers; UNITE/HERE; RWDSU; Local 153 of Teachers; UNITE/HERE; RWDSU; Local 153 OPEIU;CWA Local 1180, District 1 and Local 1105; OPEIU;CWA Local 1180, District 1 and Local 1105; District Council 1707, AFSCME; CSEA; NYSNA; CSA; District Council 1707, AFSCME; CSEA; NYSNA; CSA; Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1056; AFGE, Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1056; AFGE, District 2; Local 32-BJ, SEIU; PEF; UAW Local 259 & District 2; Local 32-BJ, SEIU; PEF; UAW Local 259 & 2110; UFCW Local 1500; United Postal Workers; 2110; UFCW Local 1500; United Postal Workers; United Store Workers, Local 3United Store Workers, Local 3

LABOR/MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIPSLABOR/MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIPSDC37/NYC Health and Hospitals CorporationDC37/NYC Health and Hospitals CorporationLocal 237 IBT/NYC Police Department Local 237 IBT/NYC Police Department 1199 SEIU/NYC Homecare Subcontractors1199 SEIU/NYC Homecare Subcontractors

WPWNY Presentation WPWNY Presentation GoalsGoals

To discuss relevant factors for low To discuss relevant factors for low and moderate income working parents and moderate income working parents and the impact on working families and the impact on working families and workplacesand workplaces

To provide an overview of the To provide an overview of the structure, process and research structure, process and research methodology of this initiativemethodology of this initiative

To discuss preliminary results and To discuss preliminary results and potential outcomespotential outcomes

A Winning Formula for A Winning Formula for NYCNYC

Child care affects countless working Child care affects countless working parents, including thousands of parents, including thousands of city city employeesemployees who provide critical who provide critical services to our city each day. services to our city each day.

Parents with reliable, high quality Parents with reliable, high quality care can dedicate more time and care can dedicate more time and energy to their job related energy to their job related responsibilities.responsibilities.

City Workers Need City Workers Need Quality CareQuality Care

In 2005, 62.6% of women with In 2005, 62.6% of women with children under 6 were in the children under 6 were in the workforce compared to 2 out of 5 workforce compared to 2 out of 5 women in 1975. women in 1975.

Mothers in the Workforce, NACCRA.org/policyMothers in the Workforce, NACCRA.org/policy

The average cost of infant care in The average cost of infant care in NYC is $13,000 per year. NYC is $13,000 per year. www.childcareinc.orgwww.childcareinc.org

Demand is greater than supply. Demand is greater than supply. For example, only 56% of the For example, only 56% of the income eligible children under age income eligible children under age 6 are served in publicly subsidized 6 are served in publicly subsidized care in NYC. care in NYC.

Child Care and Employment Child Care and Employment TurnoverTurnover

The availability of child care is an The availability of child care is an important correlation to job stabilityimportant correlation to job stability Mothers without convenient access to Mothers without convenient access to

child care (e.g. center-based program) child care (e.g. center-based program) were twice as likely to leave their jobs were twice as likely to leave their jobs than those with convenient access. than those with convenient access. Convenient is defined as less than 10 Convenient is defined as less than 10 minute from home. minute from home.

Mothers with multiple care Mothers with multiple care arrangements (e.g. back up) were 53% arrangements (e.g. back up) were 53% less likely to leave their jobs than those less likely to leave their jobs than those with no back up planswith no back up plans

Source: Institute for Women’s Policy Research : Research-In-Source: Institute for Women’s Policy Research : Research-In-Brief from Child Care and Employment Turnover , by Sandra Brief from Child Care and Employment Turnover , by Sandra L. Hofferth and Nancy J. CollinsL. Hofferth and Nancy J. Collins

Child Care & Job Child Care & Job Stability Stability

Availability of day care within 30 minutes Availability of day care within 30 minutes of home was important for the job of home was important for the job stability of moderate-wage mothers.stability of moderate-wage mothers.

Moderate wage mothers who faced Moderate wage mothers who faced higher child care prices were more likely higher child care prices were more likely to leave their jobs than lower wage to leave their jobs than lower wage mothers facing lower prices.mothers facing lower prices.

Moderate wage mothers are most Moderate wage mothers are most sensitive to cost and stability. sensitive to cost and stability.

Low wage mothers may have access to Low wage mothers may have access to subsidy, high wage mothers can absorb subsidy, high wage mothers can absorb higher cost.higher cost.

Home Care Employer Home Care Employer PerspectivePerspective

Bill Pernisek, President CABS Home Bill Pernisek, President CABS Home

Attendant Service, Inc. NYCAttendant Service, Inc. NYC ““We have often found that the underlying We have often found that the underlying

cause for workers’ inability to meet these cause for workers’ inability to meet these increasing client needs is their own inability increasing client needs is their own inability to obtain competent, reliable child care.”to obtain competent, reliable child care.”

““It is our hope that when the results of the It is our hope that when the results of the study prove access to reliable child care study prove access to reliable child care services does in fact improve performance, services does in fact improve performance, work quality, job retention and, in the long work quality, job retention and, in the long run reduces costs, it will lead to the run reduces costs, it will lead to the implementation of a significant political implementation of a significant political effort to make such services available to all effort to make such services available to all eligible employees of both City and eligible employees of both City and subcontracted agencies.”subcontracted agencies.”

The Working Parents The Working Parents Initiative Initiative

has three main has three main componentscomponents

▫ ▫ Information ServicesInformation Services

▫ ▫ University Research University Research

▫▫Subsidy Assistance Subsidy Assistance

CHILD CARE INC.CHILD CARE INC.Resource and Referral Resource and Referral

AgencyAgency Child Care ReferralsChild Care Referrals Phone ConsultationPhone Consultation Information to Subsidy ParticipantsInformation to Subsidy Participants Workshops on Accessing and Workshops on Accessing and

Maintaining Quality Child CareMaintaining Quality Child Care

THE RESEARCH DESIGNTHE RESEARCH DESIGN

Cornell University, Cornell University, School of Industrial and School of Industrial and Labor RelationsLabor Relations

will examine the effects will examine the effects that child care subsidies that child care subsidies and information have on job and information have on job performance and retention. performance and retention.

RESEARCH GROUPSRESEARCH GROUPS• Experimental Group Experimental Group

190 parents will receive child 190 parents will receive child care subsidies and information and care subsidies and information and referral services.referral services.

• Control GroupControl Group

102 parents will complete 102 parents will complete interviews but receive no subsidies interviews but receive no subsidies or referral services. or referral services.

COMPONENTS OF COMPONENTS OF RESEARCHRESEARCH

Date of HireDate of Hire Punctuality for Baseline YearPunctuality for Baseline Year Sick Leave UsageSick Leave Usage Annual Leave UsageAnnual Leave Usage Performance Evaluation MeasuresPerformance Evaluation Measures Employee Self Reported Baseline Employee Self Reported Baseline

InterviewInterview Follow Up Questionnaire of Follow Up Questionnaire of

Participants in Experimental and Participants in Experimental and Control GroupsControl Groups

How Were the Parents How Were the Parents Selected? Selected?

At a minimum, qualified employees must: At a minimum, qualified employees must: Work for one of the three agencies/subcontracted Work for one of the three agencies/subcontracted

agencies at one of the selected work sites;agencies at one of the selected work sites; Be earning 275% of poverty or below;Be earning 275% of poverty or below; family of 3 family of 3

$47,218$47,218 Be the parent, guardian or person responsible for Be the parent, guardian or person responsible for

the care of a child;the care of a child; Agree to the terms of the program (i.e. Agree to the terms of the program (i.e.

participation in focus groups, workshops, participation in focus groups, workshops, interviews).interviews).

Consent to disclosure of personnel records.Consent to disclosure of personnel records.

The Consortium for Worker Education The Consortium for Worker Education (CWE), (CWE), a labor supported training programa labor supported training program - - worked with employers and unions to worked with employers and unions to recruit employees at the work site and assist recruit employees at the work site and assist with the child care application process. with the child care application process.

Selection by lotterySelection by lottery After a pre-screening process, After a pre-screening process, 300300

parents were selected through a random parents were selected through a random lottery.lottery.

190 of the parents, the 190 of the parents, the experimental experimental group,group, will receive the child care will receive the child care subsidy and parenting information; subsidy and parenting information;

The other 102 will make up the The other 102 will make up the control control groupgroup for the study and will for the study and will notnot receive the subsidy or information.receive the subsidy or information. These parents, however, will be These parents, however, will be compensated for any time they spend compensated for any time they spend participating in the study.participating in the study.

The remaining parents withdrew from The remaining parents withdrew from the process or became ineligible. the process or became ineligible.

Subsidy ComponentSubsidy Component

What does the subsidy mean? The parent What does the subsidy mean? The parent only pays a 10% co-pay of their total family only pays a 10% co-pay of their total family income, up to 275% of FPL, and the subsidy, income, up to 275% of FPL, and the subsidy, typically worth about $4,000, depending on typically worth about $4,000, depending on the modality of care, pays up to the city’s set the modality of care, pays up to the city’s set market rate for publicly funded care. market rate for publicly funded care.

Providers must provide their SS#, report Providers must provide their SS#, report their income, and complete a 14 pg. health their income, and complete a 14 pg. health and safety form in order to receive subsidy and safety form in order to receive subsidy money. money.

The money is not paid as a reimbursement to The money is not paid as a reimbursement to the parents. This has proved to be a difficulty the parents. This has proved to be a difficulty for some parents. We are working with them for some parents. We are working with them to find alternate providers. to find alternate providers.

Arrived Late, Left EarlyArrived Late, Left EarlyChild Care vs. Other Child Care vs. Other

FactorsFactorsArrived Late, Left Early Reasons

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

Preliminary ResultsPreliminary Results

The following results are preliminary The following results are preliminary and reflect the baseline interview and reflect the baseline interview results of one of the participating results of one of the participating unions.unions.

Subsequent results will be available Subsequent results will be available in Julyin July

Employer personnel reports will Employer personnel reports will complete the data collection complete the data collection process.process.

Demographic of Demographic of Research PopulationResearch Population

292 Participants292 Participants Mean Age 37.5 Mean Age 37.5 Gender:Gender: Female Female 89.5% 89.5%

Male Male 10.5%10.5% Race and Ethnicity:Race and Ethnicity: 50% Black 50% Black

28% Hispanic28% Hispanic 11% other 11% other

Mean Salary: Home Care Mean Salary: Home Care $21,610 $21,610 Hospital WorkersHospital Workers $31,439 $31,439 School Safety Agents $35,652School Safety Agents $35,652

Distribution of Distribution of Children’s AgesChildren’s Ages

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

6wk-1.5y

1.5-3y3-4y 4-5y 5-10y10-12y

Ages

Child Care ArrangementsChild Care Arrangements

Informal Care: 68% Informal Care: 68% use unlicensed, use unlicensed, unregulated care :unregulated care : Relative or kinRelative or kin NeighborNeighbor

Regulated Care:Regulated Care: By comparison, By comparison,

only 10% using only 10% using center based carecenter based care

16% using group 16% using group family day carefamily day care

Quality of CareQuality of Care

Quality of current provider 68% Quality of current provider 68% rated highrated high

Reliability of current provider 68% Reliability of current provider 68% rated highrated high

Cost of Care – 62% rated highCost of Care – 62% rated high

((Choices were low, medium and high) Choices were low, medium and high) Would change child care if possible Would change child care if possible

71%71% Better care 30%Better care 30% Better location 28%Better location 28%

Work and Child CareWork and Child Care

85% of study pool population arrived 85% of study pool population arrived late or left work early, frequently or late or left work early, frequently or sometimessometimes

80% had to use sick days, frequently 80% had to use sick days, frequently or sometimesor sometimes

28% have taken leave without pay, 28% have taken leave without pay, frequently or sometimes frequently or sometimes

Commuting TimeCommuting Time

Commuting time to child care and then to Commuting time to child care and then to work is a major factor in time and work is a major factor in time and

attendance and retention. attendance and retention.

Commute Time After Drop Commute Time After Drop OffOff

<30m = 25%<30m = 25% 30m-1hr = 41%30m-1hr = 41% 1hr - 1.5hrs = 30%1hr - 1.5hrs = 30%

Commute Time To Commute Time To ProviderProvider

<30m =31%<30m =31% 30m-1hr =31%30m-1hr =31% 1hr-1.5hrs =14%1hr-1.5hrs =14% N/A =25%N/A =25%

Work Consequences and Work Consequences and Child CareChild Care

48% have had work-related 48% have had work-related consequences including: consequences including:

▪ ▪ Verbal warningVerbal warning Written warningWritten warning Disciplinary Action such as docked payDisciplinary Action such as docked pay

Performance EvaluationsPerformance Evaluations

In your opinion, have your child care In your opinion, have your child care responsibilities had a negative effect responsibilities had a negative effect on your work performance? on your work performance?

Agree Agree 37% 37% Disagree Disagree 66% 66%

▪ ▪ Only for the parents who answered Only for the parents who answered yes to the above questionyes to the above question: Do you : Do you think your supervisor’s evaluation of think your supervisor’s evaluation of your work performance includes your your work performance includes your child care related problems? child care related problems?

Agree Agree 71% 71% Disagree Disagree 28% 28%

Supervisor and Supervisor and Understanding of Family Understanding of Family

DemandsDemands My Supervisor Understands My My Supervisor Understands My

Family DemandsFamily Demands

Strongly Agree Strongly Agree 6.7% 6.7% Agree 38.5% Agree 38.5% Neutral 16.3%Neutral 16.3% Disagree 28.8%Disagree 28.8% Strongly disagree 9.6%Strongly disagree 9.6%

Source – employee baselinesSource – employee baselines

Before and After Costs Before and After Costs

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

Cheryl, 3yr old in CenterBased Care Income $21,540

Ada, infant in informal careIncome $15,948

Maribel, school age in FamilyDay Care Income $39,936

Before

After

Dependent Care Dependent Care Assistance PlansAssistance Plans

93% of the participants had not heard 93% of the participants had not heard about this option for workplaces where about this option for workplaces where the employer offers it as a way to the employer offers it as a way to assist with payment of child care costs.assist with payment of child care costs.

Employee contributions to the DCAP Employee contributions to the DCAP accounts benefit the taxpayer only to accounts benefit the taxpayer only to the extent that they have taxable the extent that they have taxable income to offset. income to offset.

Employers and Unions should consider Employers and Unions should consider negotiating employer contributions as negotiating employer contributions as an incentive to participate in the plans. an incentive to participate in the plans.

What Choices Would You What Choices Would You Make? Make?

If I had a choice to get a percentage raise or If I had a choice to get a percentage raise or money for child care, I would choose: money for child care, I would choose:

81.9% money for child care81.9% money for child care19.4% raise 19.4% raise

▪ ▪ If I were provided employer subsidized child If I were provided employer subsidized child care, I would be more likely to stay at my job care, I would be more likely to stay at my job even if I didn’t like my supervisoreven if I didn’t like my supervisor

82.9% Agree 82.9% Agree 9.2% Neutral 9.2% Neutral 7.9% Disagree7.9% Disagree

▪▪ Even if less promotional opportunitiesEven if less promotional opportunities42.7% Agree42.7% Agree25.3% Neutral 25.3% Neutral 32 % Disagree 32 % Disagree

Concluding ObservationsConcluding Observations

▪ Participant reports from baseline interviews indicate that a lack of accessible, reliable childcare does impact on lateness, time on task, and disciplinary action overall job performance. Similarly, research indicates that there is a significant relationship between quality and childcare worker retention.

▪ Continued research and final outcomes of the WPWNY study will clarify these correlations. A comparison of employer data with worker self-reports will aid in determining the relationships between a worker’s experience and their measured productivity and performance.