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The True Cost of Care Act (AB 1981) makes its committee debut!

Dear provider, 

I have an exciting update! The True Cost of Care Act (AB 1981) officially made its debut in a legislative committee [yesterday/this week]. CCPU members were proud to join California Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry at the State Capitol for a press conference announcing this exciting new bill (Facebook, Instagram).

Now, we have to help lawmakers understand why this bill matters for every person in our state. That’s why CCPU is launching this new tool to help providers contact our elected representatives and ask them to stand with us and the families we care for.

We all know that rates fall far short of the true cost of care. We feel it every day in the rising costs of gas, groceries, and supplies. We know how hard it makes it to hire talented, dedicated assistants to help us care for our children. Most of California’s child care providers can’t afford to pay ourselves a salary. Some struggle to keep their doors open at all.

When providers are forced to close, families lose options for accessing quality care, and children lose important early learning opportunities. That’s why it’s so important that lawmakers hear from us about the importance of passing AB 1981, The True Cost of Care Act.

Will you take a moment and contact your state legislator now and ask them to support AB 1981? 

When legislators hear directly from the providers in their districts and communities, it makes a real difference. That’s how we passed legislation to win the right to form our union, it’s how we won important protections during the COVID-19 epidemic, and it’s how we’ve consistently won investments in fair pay and benefits for providers. 

But we aren’t done yet, and we need to ask our legislators to help us tackle the true cost of the care we provide. Let your lawmaker know now that you support AB 1981 and want them to, as well! 

In unity,

Miren Algorri
San Diego

—

Estimada proveedora,

¡Tengo una actualización emocionante! La Ley del Verdadero Coste de Proveer Cuidado (AB 1981) debutó oficialmente en un comité legislativo esta semana. Los miembros de CCPU se sintieron orgullosos de unirse a la líder de la mayoría en la Asamblea de California, Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, en el Capitolio Estatal para una rueda de prensa anunciando este emocionante nuevo proyecto de ley (Facebook, Instagram). 

Ahora, tenemos que ayudar a los legisladores a entender por qué este proyecto de ley es importante para cada una de las personas en nuestro estado. Por eso CCPU está lanzando esta nueva herramienta para ayudar a las proveedoras a contactar con nuestros representantes electos y pedirles que nos apoyen a nosotros y a las familias a las que cuidamos.

Todos sabemos que las tarifas están muy por debajo del coste real de proveer cuidado. Lo sentimos cada día en el aumento de los costes de la gasolina, la comida y los suministros. Sabemos lo difícil que es contratar asistentes talentosos y dedicados para ayudarnos a cuidar de nuestros niños. La mayoría de las proveedoras de cuidado infantil de California no pueden permitirse pagarse un salario a sí mismas. Algunas tienen dificultades para mantener sus puertas abiertas.

Cuando las proveedoras se ven obligadas a cerrar, las familias pierden opciones para acceder a un cuidado de calidad y los niños pierden importantes oportunidades de aprendizaje temprano. Por eso es tan importante que los legisladores nos escuchen sobre la importancia de aprobar AB 1981, la Ley del Verdadero Coste de Proveer Cuidado.

¿Podrías tomarte un momento y contactar ahora con tu legislador estatal y pedirle que apoye la AB 1981?

Cuando los legisladores escuchan directamente a las proveedoras de sus distritos y comunidades, marca una diferencia real. Así fue como aprobamos la legislación para ganar el derecho a formar nuestro sindicato, así conseguimos protecciones importantes durante la epidemia de COVID-19, y así hemos conseguido consistentemente inversiones en salarios justos y beneficios para las proveedoras. 

Pero aún no hemos terminado, y necesitamos pedir a nuestros legisladores que nos ayuden a abordar el verdadero coste del cuidado que proporcionamos. ¡Hazle saber a tu legislador ahora que apoyas la AB 1981 y que quieres que él también lo haga!

En unidad,

Miren Algorri
San Diego

Our Perspectives

Access your portal

Step 1

Go to portal site.

Go to www.MyParticipantEdge.com

STEP 2

Click “Create Account.”

step 3

Complete the following fields, using the information provided in the benefits letter you received.

  • User Type: Member
  • Email: Enter your email address and confirm your email
  • First and Last Name: Enter your first and last name
  • SSN/SIN: Enter the last 4 digits of the Retirement Identification Number you received from your benefits letter. Do not enter the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
  • Date of Birth: Enter your actual date of birth. If this doesn’t work, then enter the temporary date of birth from your benefits letter.
  • Zip Code/Postal Code: Enter the zip code exactly as written on your benefits letter
step 4

Click “Next” and the following screen displays

Enter the password, and three Security Questions and answers, and select the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy checkbox.

step 5

Click Finish, the account is created, and you are returned to the initial screen (see following screen example)

You will also receive an access code which will be sent to the email that you entered when you created your account. Note: Each time you log in from a new computer/device, you must enter a new access code.

step 6

From the initial screen, enter the email address you used to set up your account and password, and click Login

step 7

Enter the access code you received in your email to access the Dashboard screen

If you have any questions, or would like assistance registering your portal, call our CCPU Provider Resource Center at (888) 583-CCPU (2278) or PRC@ccpuca.org.

Info Sessions Recordings:

July 9 CCPU Retirement Fund Info Session

July 18 CCPU Retirement Fund Info Session

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions in the FAQ section below.

Are the benefits from the Retirement Plan taxable income to me?

The State contributions to your Retirement Plan account are not taxable to you until you receive a distribution. There may be distributions options to defer those taxes.

When can I sign up for the Retirement Fund and where can I learn more?

Eligible providers are automatically enrolled in the retirement fund. However, the administrator, Zenith American Solutions, will ask eligible providers to update necessary information. It is important to provide this information so that your records are accurate, and to avoid delays accessing your account.



If you believe you are eligible, but have not received this mail, you may contact the CCPU Provider Resource Center for assistance at (888) 583-CCPU (2278) or PRC@ccpuca.org.

Have more questions?

If you have additional questions, you can call the CCPU Provider Resource Center at 888-583-CCPU (2278) from 9am to 5pm Monday-Friday or email at PRC@ccpuca.org.

WHAT – What benefits does the Retirement Fund expect to offer providers?

Expand the Retirement Fund Benefits Table to see benefits.

 Plan Rules
Eligible participants*

You are eligible to participate in the Retirement Plan for a 2024 contribution if you are:

  • A licensed child care provider
  • Who has been paid 6 or more months of child subsidy in the 2023 calendar year (can be non-consecutive months).
Eligibility for benefit credit for contributions in 2024*You will earn your full service credits for 2023 if you were paid for ten or more months of child subsidy in 2023. If you were paid for 6 or more months of child subsidy, you will receive 60% of your service credits, 70% for 7 months, 80% for 8 months and 90% for 9 months. You will not earn any service credit if you were paid for less than 6 months.
ContributionsThe only contributions to the Retirement Plan will be paid from funding won through the CCPU collective bargaining agreement. The Plan does not accept contributions from you.
Amount of annual employer contributions for 2024 service allocable to participants in 2025*You will earn one full service credit for the State contribution on your behalf in 2025 if you were paid for ten or more months of child subsidy in 2024. If you were paid for 6 to 9 months in 2024, you will receive a pro-rated service credit. You will not earn any service credit if you were paid for less than 6 months in 2024.
VestingYou are “vested” in any contribution correctly made to your account. You do not need to work a minimum number of years before 2024 to be entitled to a benefit.
Distribution events

You can elect to receive your account when:

  • You stop all work as a licensed provider paid for state subsidized child care for 9 consecutive months at any age (“terminate from service”);
  • You stop all work as a licensed provider paid for state subsidized child care for 3 consecutive months at age 60 or older (“retirement”); or
  • You attain age 73, which is the age you are required to start receiving payments, unless you are still working.
Forms of distributions

If you are age 60 or older and stop all work as a licensed provider for 3 consecutive months and elect to retire, you can choose to receive your account balance as:

  • One lump-sum payment
  • Approximately equal monthly payments for 5 years
  • Approximately equal monthly payments for 10 years

If you are younger than age 60 and stop all work as a licensed provider for 9 consecutive months, you can only elect to receive your account as one lump-sum payment.

Death benefitsSince your account is 100% vested, you can designate a beneficiary (or multiple beneficiaries) to receive your account balance if you die before you receive it.
InvestmentsThe Board of Trustees will manage how the Retirement Plan is invested on your behalf, with the assistance of investment professionals.

*Special rules apply to providers where more than one provider is on the payment record.

who

Who is eligible for the Retirement Fund benefits?

State contributions to the Retirement Plan are tied to the child care subsidy program. To be eligible for retirement benefits in 2024, you must be a licensed provider who has have been paid for work with a subsidized child in at least 6 months in 2023-these months do not need to be consecutive. License exempt providers are not eligible; however, if you become licensed in a year, your work in that year may count for eligibility.

when

When will the benefits be available?

Contributions to the Retirement Plan are tied to the child care subsidy program. To be eligible for retirement benefits in 2024, you must be a licensed provider who has have been paid for work with a subsidized child in at least 6 months in 2023-these months do not need to be consecutive. License exempt providers are not eligible; however, if you become licensed in a year, your work in that year may count for eligibility.

how

How can I get help enrolling?

If you are eligible, the Plan will automatically enroll you based on data received by the State of California. You should immediately update your information with the Plan so it has has all of your current information and you receive credit for your years of licensed work.