Child care program manual

 

Find the child care program manual at http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=9877, or in DHS> about DHS> Publications> Manuals> Family and Comunity Services Manual> Child Care Program Manual. The manual is a public document and it is very important for child care providers be familiar with it.

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When a parent leaves owing money

When a Parent Leaves Owing Money: Small Claims Court or Collection Agency?

By Tom Copeland. Published with permission.

A parent, Barbara Riegel, leaves your family child care program owing you money. Should you take her to court or hire a collection agency to go after your money?

If Barbara owes you money for days that you provided child care, your chances of winning in small claims court is very high (probably 90%). The only circumstances where a judge might rule against you is if Barbara's child was injured while in your care, or if you were grossly negligent in your treatment of the child.

If Barbara owes you money for failing to give you a two-week notice upon leaving, your chances of winning in court are more problematic. Legally, you should win since she violated your contract. Unfortunately, some judges will listen to a parent complain about the care her child received, and not enforce the contract. Your best defense in court is to tell the judge: 1) Barbara never complained about care before she left; 2) Barbara never made a complaint to licensing; or 3) licensing said the complaint was unfounded.

Some providers will go to court, not because of the money but because of the principle that the parent should not get away with breaking the contract. Going to court takes time and a little money for the court filing fee. There is no guarantee that you will win. Even if you do win, you may have to pursue Barbara further if she refuses to pay after receiving the court judgment.

Instead of going to court, you could hire a collections agency to contact the parent on your behalf in an attempt to collect the money owed you. Such agencies can write letters and call Barbara. If they are successful they will keep a percentage of the amount collected. This fee can vary, but it could be as high as 30%. To find out the names of collection agencies in your area, Google “collections agency in [name of your town].”

There is no right or wrong about which path to choose: court or collections agency. Before making your decision your first step should be to write a letter to the parent demanding that the money you are owed be paid by a specific deadline. Tell Barbara if the deadline is not met you will go to court or hire a collections agency. Such letters sometimes do work. If not, you can make a decision whether or not to proceed against the parent.

What do you do?

Using a "Demand Letter" To Collect from a Parent

If a parent leaves your family child care program owing you money, your first step in trying to collect is to send the parent a "demand letter."

A "demand letter" is a formal request for the money owed you. It shows the parent that you are serious about enforcing your contract. I have talked with child care providers who have received payment after sending such a letter.

Below is a sample "demand letter." Your letter should contain these five elements:

* The dates you cared for the child

* The amount the parent owes you under your contract

* A demand for payment by a specific deadline

* A notice that you will take legal action of the parent doesn't respond by the deadline

* Your signature and the date of your signature

August 1, 20xx

Dear Francene:

On May 1, 20xx you signed a contract with me to provide child care services for your daughter Sally. The contract states that you would pay me $175 per week for care. On July 1, 20xx you informed me that you would be leaving my program. At that time you owed me $175 for the week of June 25-29th.

Our contract also states that you must give me a two-week written notice when you leave my care. You did not do so. Therefore, you also owe me $350 for the two weeks after you gave me notice on July 1st.

This letter is to notify you that you owe me $525 ($175 + $350). If you do not pay me by August 15, 20xx I will have no choice but to take legal action and sue you in small claims court. At that time I will sue you for $525, plus court costs and my expenses.

If you have any questions please contact me. If you cannot afford to pay the entire amount you owe me at once, I will accept a reasonable payment plan.

Sincerely,

Maria Sanchez

Make a copy of your "demand letter" and bring it with you if you go to court. Send your letter by certified mail so you will have proof that the parent received it.

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DCFS Offices and Phones

DCFS-TELEFONOS Y OFICINAS, DCFS, OFFICES AND PHONES

Use el link http://www.state.il.us/dcfs/phoneDirectory.shtml

Northern Region
City	Location	Phone	TDD
Aurora Region 60506	8 E. Galena Blvd, Suite 300	630-801-3400	630-844-3460
Rockford Field 61101	200 South Wyman, Fl. 2	815-987-7640	815-987-7255
Aurora 60506	841 North Lake St.	630-844-8400	630-844-8450
DeKalb 60115	760 Peace Road	815-787-5300	815-756-8033
Elgin 60123	595 State Street	847-888-7620	847-888-7655
Freeport 61032	660 W. Stephenson St	815-235-7878	815-235-9518
Glen Ellyn 60137	800 West Roosevelt Rd,. Bldg. D, Ste. 10	630-790-6800	630-790-6873
Joliet 60435	1619 West Jefferson Street	815-730-4000	815-740-3073
Kankakee 60901	505 South Schuyler	815-939-8140	815-939-8176
Rockford Satellite 61107	107 N. Third Street	815-967-3731	815-987-7255
Round Lake 60073	328 West Rollins Road	847-546-0772	847-546-1585
Sterling 61081	2607 Woodlawn Avenue, Suite 3	815-625-7594	815-625-8944
Waukegan 60085	500 N. Green Bay Rd	847-249-7800	847-249-7826
Woodstock 60098	113 Newell Street	815-338-1068	815-338-1364

Cook County
Cook - North Region
City	Location	Phone	TDD
Chicago 60616	1911/1921 South Indiana	312-808-5000	312-808-5136
Chicago 60613	810 W. Montrose	773-989-3450
Chicago 60618	2500 W. Bradley Pl.	773-866-5500
Skokie 60076	8100 McCormick Blvd	847-745-3000
Cook - Central Region
City	Location	Phone	TDD
Chicago 60651	4909 West Division	773-854-0600	773-854-0661
Chicago 60651	3518 West Division	773-292-7700	773-292-7886
Chicago 60612	2020 Roosevelt	312-793-3689
Maywood 60153	1701 S. 1st Ave.	708-338-6600	708-338-6413
Cook - South Region
City	Location	Phone	TDD
Cook South Region 60621	6201 South Emerald	773-371-6000	773-371-3075
Emergency Reception Center 60613	5001 S. Michigan	773-538-8800
Harvey 60426	15115 S. Dixie Hwy.	708-210-2800	708-210-3075
Tinley Park 60477	7600 W. 83rd Street	708-633-5300	708-633-5366
Cook Central Office
City	Location	Phone	TDD
Chicago 60601	100 W. Randolph St.	312-814-6800	312814-4117
Chicago 60612	2240 W. Ogden	312-433-3000
Chicago 60612	2245 W. Ogden	312-633-3400
Chicago 60604	310 S. Michigan Ave.	312-793-2000
Chicago 60601	160 N. LaSalle	312-814-5546
Chicago 60612	1026 S. Damen	312-793-8527
Chicago 60608	1240 S. Damen	312-492-3787
Chicago 60616	10 W. 35th St.	312-328-2828
Juvenille Court	1100 S. Hamilton	312-633-3400	312-633-3883
Chicago 60612	2445 S. Rockwell	773-579-2556

Central Region
City	Location	Phone	TDD
Peoria Region 61614	5415 North University Avenue	309-693-5400	309-693-5273
Champaign Area 61820	2125 South First Street	217-278-5500	217-278-5519
Springfield Area 62706	4500 South 6th Street	217-786-6830	217-786-7244
Beardstown 62618	121 East 2nd Street	217-323-2286	217-323-2326
Bloomington 61701	401 Dinsmore Street	309-828-0022	309-829-1952
Cambrige 61238	ILL. Hwy. 82 South	309-937-1071	309-937-1075
Canton 61520	45 E. Side Square	309-647-0051	309-647-8723
Carlinville 62626	1022 North High Street	217-854-2566	217-854-5409
Charleston 61920	825 S. 18th Street	217-348-7661	217-348-7683
Danville 61832	401 North Franklin St	217-443-3200	217-443-3275
Decatur 62526	2900 North Oakland Avenue	217-875-6750	217-875-6564
Galesburg 61401	467 East Main Street	309-342-3154	309-342-9672
Jacksonville 62650	46 N. Central Park Plaza	217-479-4800	217-245-1451
Jerseyville 62052	108 S. State	618-498-9561	618-498-3026
Lincoln 62656	405 N. Limit	217-735-4402	217-735-3113
Macomb 61455	466 Deer Rd.	309-837-5411	309-836-1402
Monticello 61856	4020 Bear Lane	217-762-2148	217-762-8365
Ottawa 61350	776 Centennial Dr.	815-433-4371	815-433-9457
Paris 61944	11697 IL Hwy 1	217-465-5302	217-
Paxton 60957	2 Lane Drive	217-379-4206	217-379-3498
Pekin 61554	#1 South Capitol	309-347-5978	309-347-6355
Peoria 61603	2001 N.E. Jefferson Street	309-671-7900	309-671-7907
Pontiac 61764	811 West Cleary	815-844-1551	815-844-1563
Princeton 61356	526 Bureau Valley Pkwy	815-875-4502	815-872-0690
Quincy 62301	107 N. 3rd Street	217-221-2525	217-221-2531
Rock Island 61201	500 42nd Street., Ste 5	309-794-3500	309-794-3517
Savoy 61874	1808 Woodfield	217-278-5300	217-278-5319
Shelbyville 62565	519 N. Cedar St.	217-774-3213	217-774-5605
Springfield Field 62703	521 S. 11th Street	217-782-4000	217-524-3167
Sullivan 61951	1213 South Hamilton	217-728-7419	217-728-4414
Taylorville 62568	1104 West Spresser	217-824-9649	217-824-3054
Tuscola 61953	108 Sales St.	217-253-4242	217-253-4374
Urbana 61801	508 South Race	217-278-5400	217-278-5419
Watseka 60970	806 B East Walnut St	815-432-5218	815-432-5224

Southern Region
City	Location	Phone	TDD
East St. Louis Region 62201	10 Collinsville Avenue	618-583-2100	618-583-2111
Marion Area 62959	2309 West Main Street	618-993-7100	618-997-9357
Alton 62002	200 North Center	618-466-7014	618-466-8865
Anna 62906	108 Denny Industrial Dr.	618-833-4449	618-883-3997
Belleville 62223	12 North 64th Street, Suite 1	618-394-2150	618-394-2154
Cairo 62914	1315 Washington	618-734-0858	618-734-0027
Carlyle 62231	559 12th St	618-594-4541	618-594-4568
East St. Louis 62203	5601 State Street	618-398-5910	618-398-5967
East St. Louis Child Protection 62201	10 Collinsville Avenue	618-583-2116	618-583-2111
Effingham 62401	401 West Industrial Avenue	217-347-5561	217-347-2940
Fairview Heights 62208	10251 Lincoln Trail	618-394-2100	618-394-2144
Granite City 62040	2021 Johnson Road	618-876-8985	618-876-9011
Harrisburg 62946	324 E. Raymond	618-253-7604	618-242-6695
Marion 62959	107 Airway Drive	618-993-8639	618-997-5834
Metropolis 62960	200 W. 5th St.	618-524-2428	618-524-3597
Mt. Vernon 62864	321 A Withers Dr.	618-244-8400	618-242-6695
Olney 62450	140 Martin	618-393-2979	618-392-3195
Salem 62881	219 East Schwartz St.	618-548-7300	618-548-7304
Sparta 62286	202 West Jackson St., Ste. B	618-443-4317	618-443-4870
Wood River 62095	1403 Vaughn Road	618-259-8400	618-259-8406