Home child care workers union seeks better service from state

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1394179

Five days a week, Denise Disney takes care of six children, all 5 or younger, in her Frederick home.

For eight years, she opened her doors to a local licensing specialist from the Frederick County Department of Social Services who spent hours evaluating Disney, following no apparent protocol.

"She pretty much did what she wanted to do to me, until about two years ago when I said enough is enough," she said.

The licensing specialist visited Disney because she cares for several children whose parents pay using state-issued vouchers.

Disney now works to address similar issues faced by fellow members of Service Employees International Union Local 500's western region, which includes Frederick and Hagerstown.

About a dozen union members from Frederick and other parts of the state met at the William Talley Recreation Center on Saturday to discuss ongoing negotiations with the Early Childhood Development Division of the Maryland State Department of Education.

FULL story at link.