/PRNewswire/ -- Already struggling in a difficult economy, conditions went from bad to worse in 2010 for Georgia's child care providers and the thousands of children and families they serve.
According to a new report released by Quality Care for Children, Georgia lost 1,395 child care programs due to the poor economy – a net loss of 43,000 child care slots statewide. This represents an 11 percent decline in the number of child care centers and a more than 30 percent decline in family child care.
The 1,395 closures are more than double the 600 shutdowns reported by Quality Care for Children last year.
And the worst may not be over. The annual statewide survey of 485 child care programs also found that 20 percent of child care centers and 33 percent of family child care providers are considering closing their doors. Approximately one in three family child care providers say they're worried about having to close, an increase from last year when one in four had the same concern.
"We've seen a huge spike in the number of vacancies in child care programs throughout the state, brought on by parents who've either lost jobs or seen their income reduced and then had to withdraw their children," said Quality Care for Children CEO Pam Tatum, "At the same time, costs to operate a center have never been higher – further adding to the financial pressure on providers. The most pressing concern is: Who is now caring for these children? In tough economic times, parents have fewer options and often feel financially pressured to leave their kids in care situations that may be unsuitable – even dangerous – in order to make ends meet. Ultimately it's the kids who pay the price."
Tatum said nearly 65 percent of families in Georgia use some form of child care today.
QCC also reported a troubling new trend tied to the economy: More children are arriving to child care hungry. A significant number of providers are reporting that children appear more stressed and are living in homes that are experiencing hardship, evidenced by the number of children coming into the provider's home hungry in the morning, especially after weekends.
QCC ensures more than 10,000 children in family child care receive nutritious snacks and meals every day through the USDA Child Care Food Program. "Clearly, that's not enough," Tatum said.
"Any child who starts their day hungry; who seems visibly stressed; and who is not in a stable, nurturing quality environment is not getting the start that is essential to their healthy development and the ultimate health of Georgia's economy," Tatum said.
For the third consecutive year, QCC reported substantial declines in the overall quality of child care programs as well, measured by the number of programs that have cut staff hours, eliminated staff positions, and spent less on needed improvements and supplies such as books and toys. "These cuts and lack of investments can be devastating to the quality of early education in Georgia. Our children can't afford another year of decline."
Copies of the report are available at www.qualitycareforchildren.org.
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Friday, April 22, 2011
Survey: Weak Economy Led to 1,395 Child Care Program Closures In Georgia Last Year
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Georgia Home Care Costs Among the Nation's Lowest
/PRNewswire/ -- According to Genworth's 2010 Cost of Care Survey, home care costs, as well as the costs of other long term care services, are lower in Georgia than they are nationally. The median annual rate for home care costs in Georgia is $38,896 statewide, about 11 percent below the median annual rate of $43,472 nationally.(1) Georgia is the 7th most affordable state for home care services, along with Idaho and Kentucky.
This is important to note given that a majority of Americans prefer to receive care in the home. According to another Genworth survey conducted earlier this year, when asked to identify the setting most preferred to receive long term care, 78 percent chose the home; 18 percent chose assisted living, and only 2 percent selected a nursing home.(2)
"Long term care is not just about nursing homes anymore," said Buck Stinson, President, U.S. Life Insurance Products at Genworth. "For many Georgia residents, the ability to live independently is critical to maintaining quality of life. Preparing for the expenses associated with one's preferred care setting is a key factor in retirement planning," he added.
Now in its 35th year of providing long term care insurance to American families, Genworth's annual Cost of Care Survey helps raise public awareness of the costs associated with various care options across the U.S. In Georgia, the survey includes information on long term care costs in 15 regions.
Georgia Cost of Care Survey Findings Home Health Aide Services (Licensed)Statewide, costs are rising at a rate of 1 percent annually over the past five years. This compares to an annual increase of 2 percent nationally over the same period.(3) Costs in Columbus are 17 percent lower than nationally.
Select Regions Median Hourly Rate Georgia-Statewide $17 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta $19 Augusta-Richmond County $16 Columbus $16 -------- --- US National $19 ----------- --- Assisted Living (One Bedroom/Single Occupancy)Annual cost increases across the state are lower than they are nationally over the past five years (costs in Georgia have remained relatively flat compared to 7 percent across the U.S.) (3) Costs in the Augusta area are 44 percent lower than nationally.
Select Regions Median Annual Rate(4) Georgia-Statewide $28,200 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta $33,000 Augusta-Richmond County $21,300 Columbus $24,450 -------- ------- US National $38,220 ----------- ------- Nursing Home (Private Room)Statewide, nursing home costs are significantly lower than national levels. The annual increase in the cost for this type of care in Georgia is 5 percent over the past five years, in line with the national increase.(3)
Select Regions Median Annual Rate(5) Georgia-Statewide $61,926 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta $62,134 Augusta-Richmond County $63,875 Columbus $56,747 -------- ------- US National $75,190 ----------- ------- Adult Day Health Care Costs for this type of care are lower statewide than they are nationally. Select Regions Median Annual Rate(6) Georgia-Statewide $14,300 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta $14,300 Augusta-Richmond County $13,879 Columbus N/A -------- --- US National $15,600 ----------- -------
Let's Talk
To help families plan more effectively for potential long term care needs, Genworth Financial launched its national "Let's Talk" campaign in 2009.
"The first step in developing a comprehensive long term care plan is to speak with loved ones about the impact that a long term illness would have on them, emotionally and financially," added Mr. Stinson. "Genworth's 2010 Cost of Care Survey, when used in conjunction with the resources available at caringtalk.com, provides families with a complete tool kit for mapping out a comprehensive long term care plan that addresses these concerns."
About Genworth's 2010 Cost of Care Survey
Genworth's Cost of Care Survey is the most comprehensive of its kind, covering nearly 13,000 long term care providers in 436 regions nationwide. It surveys the cost of long term care across the U.S. to help Americans plan for the potential costs associated with the various types of care available in their preferred location and setting.
CareScout, acquired by Genworth in June 2008, has conducted the survey since 2004.
Genworth's 2010 Cost of Care Survey was conducted during January, February and March 2010.
Full results of Genworth's 2010 Cost of Care Survey, including an interactive map of the cost of care in all 50 states and 436 regions, and other useful tools and information is available online at Genworth.com/CostofCare2010.
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Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Free Health Care for the Uninsured Is Coming to Atlanta This Month
/PRNewswire/ -- Georgians struggling with the lack of health insurance will soon get much-needed help when the National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) in conjunction with the Georgia Free Clinic Network (GFCN) holds its next C.A.R.E. Clinic at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta on March 27 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
This will be the sixth in a series of large, mostly one-day C.A.R.E. (Communities Are Responding Everyday) Clinics held around the country to bring together physicians and other health care professionals, as well as non-medical volunteers, to serve the needs of thousands of people who might otherwise go without medical care. Since last September, more than 7,000 uninsured patients received treatment at C.A.R.E. Clinics in Houston, New Orleans, Little Rock, Kansas City and Hartford.
"As long as affordable health insurance is not available for everyone, there will be a great need for the work that more than 1,200 free clinics across the country do every day," NAFC Executive Director Nicole Lamoureux said.
In Georgia, almost 18 percent of the non-elderly residents do not have health insurance.
"We are excited to be able to hold a C.A.R.E. Clinic in Georgia, where the work of free clinics is very much needed," Donna Looper, executive director of the Georgia Free Clinic Network, said. "A strong network of clinics and other safety-net providers exists throughout the state. Not only will patients receive immediate care at this event, but they also will be connected to this network that can offer them care on an ongoing basis."
In 2008, free clinics across the nation provided care to about 4 million uninsured people, including 175,000 in Georgia. In 2009, that doubled to about 8 million people, despite a decline in donations. A $1 donation to free clinics typically provides $5 worth of services.
"It is important to note that being uninsured is not the same as being unemployed," Lamoureux said. "About 83 percent of uninsured people have jobs. At past C.A.R.E. Clinics, we found that many of the patients worked at two or more jobs but did not receive health insurance benefits. Some even worked as nurses or for insurance companies but still did not have insurance themselves."
Volunteers can register now for shifts between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on March 26, when the clinic will be set up, and between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on March 27.
Medical volunteers needed for the Atlanta clinic include doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, emergency medical technicians, medical administrators, licensed clinical social workers and more. Non-medical volunteers are needed to help with documentation, logistical support, patient intake and translation, as well as to be patient greeters and escorts. Help also is needed for setting up the clinic, as well as breaking it down.
Information for volunteers is available online at http://www.regonline.com/Atlanta_CARE_Clinic, as well as at http://freeclinics.us/ or http://www.gfcn.org/. Those interested in appointments for patients at the clinic may call 1-277-233-5159 to sign up now.
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Isakson Denounces White House Comments Connecting Him To Terribly Flawed House Health Care Bill
‘This Is What Happens When the President and Members of Congress Don’t Read the Bills’
U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today denounced comments made by President Obama and his spokesman regarding Isakson’s alleged connection to language contained in the House health care bill on “end-of-life counseling.”
Isakson vehemently opposes the House and Senate health care bills and he played no role in drafting language added to the House bill by House Democrats calling for the government to incentivize doctors by offering them money to conduct “end-of-life counseling” with Medicare patients every five years. Isakson also strongly opposed the House bill language calling for doctors to follow a government-mandated list of topics to discuss with patients during the counseling sessions.
By contrast, Isakson took a very different approach in July during the Senate HELP Committee hearings on the Senate version of the health care bill. Isakson’s amendment to the Senate bill says that anyone who participates in the long-term care benefit provided in the bill – if they so choose – may use that benefit to obtain assistance in formulating their own living will and durable power of attorney.
Isakson’s amendment, which was accepted unanimously by all Republicans and Democrats on the Senate HELP Committee, empowers the individual to make their own choices on these critical issues, rather than the government incentivizing doctors to conduct counseling on government-mandated topics. Isakson ultimately voted against the Senate health care bill.
“This is what happens when the President and members of Congress don’t read the bills. The White House and others are merely attempting to deflect attention from the intense negativity caused by their unpopular policies. I never consulted with the White House in this process and had no role whatsoever in the House Democrats’ bill. I categorically oppose the House bill and find it incredulous that the White House and others would use my amendment as a scapegoat for their misguided policies,” Isakson said. “My Senate amendment simply puts health care choices back in the hands of the individual and allows them to consider if they so choose a living will or durable power of attorney. The House provision is merely another ill-advised attempt at more government mandates, more government intrusion, and more government involvement in what should be an individual choice.”
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