What does Family Health Plus (FHP) cover?

• Inpatient and outpatient hospital care
• Services provided by physicians, nurse practitioners, and other health care providers
• Lab test and x-rays
• Prescription drugs
• Durable medical equipment
• Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hemodialysis
• Ambulance and emergency room care
• Inpatient and outpatient mental health services
• Speech and hearing services
• Diabetic supplies and equipment
• Routine preventative and emergency vision and dental services

In order to qualify for the Family Health Program you must be:

• A New York State resident
• At least 19 years old and younger than 65 years old
• Not eligible for Medicaid based on income and resources (adults who are eligible for Medicaid with a spenddown will be eligible for Family Health Plus)
• A citizen or qualified alien who would be eligible for Medicaid but for income and resources
• Have no other health insurance

Participation in the Family Health Plus Program also depends on certain income guidelines. For single adults without children, the maximum yearly income allowed is $8,590. For parents with dependent children, the yearly maximum income level is $26,475. These amounts will be increased on a yearly basis. For more information on this program, call Citizen Action of NY and ask for Paulette at 855-1522. To enroll, contact the Department of Health toll free at 1-877-934-7587.

        If you are receiving public assistance and are sanctioned (or have your assistance reduced) by Social Services, your portion of public housing or Section 8 rent may not be decreased.

        There are two situations in which your benefits can be reduced, but your share of the rent will not be reduced accordingly: (1) if you or a family member committed fraud, or (2) if you failed to comply with the welfare agency’s required self-sufficiency program (employment sanction). In these cases, the housing authority will count the full amount of assistance you would otherwise be eligible for as annual income. This applies to both Section 8 and public housing residents!

        The income you would have been entitled to (but are not actually receiving) is known as “imputed welfare income.” It is the amount of annual income that a family is eligible for, but is not receiving due to a reduction in benefits. Imputed income is still included in the family’s annual income for purposes of determining rent.

Example: A family of two is eligible for $454.00 monthly from public assistance. The head of household fails to fulfill work requirements and the household is sanctioned. The housing authority will continue to count the $454 per month as part of the family’s income even though the family received less income from Social Services that month.

        If a family begins to receive additional income after a sanction, the amount of imputed income will be offset by that amount.

Example: A family of two is eligible for $454 each month in public assistance but the head of household is sanctioned for welfare fraud. The family receives less income from Social Services. The housing authority will continue to calculate the family’s rent based upon the $454 they would otherwise be entitled to. If a member of the family obtains employment paying $400 a month, the housing authority will reduce the imputed income by the amount of the wages. The housing authority would calculate the rent based on the family’s $400 income ($400 from wages and $54 in imputed income). If you found a job making $390, your income would still be based on $400 ($390 from wages and $10 in imputed income).

        Imputed income is counted only if a family member committed fraud or if a family member failed to comply with the welfare agency’s work requirements.

        If a family’s public assistance benefits are reduced for some other reason, the housing authority should reduce the family’s annual income accordingly. For example, if benefits are reduced because a family member is not able to gain employment even though they have complied with the welfare agency’s work requirements, or if a family member has not complied with some other agency requirement not mentioned above, the housing authority will not impute income. The housing authority will only count the reduced amount of benefits that the family is actually receiving.

The housing authority cannot count imputed welfare income if the family was not living in public or Section 8 housing the time of the sanction.

        Both child care providers and the parents that utilize their services must be aware of all provisions within their contracts for child care services. It is true that not all child care providers use contracts, so you may think that this article does not pertain to you - but it does! As a parent, or as a provider, think about the issues described in this article, and how they fit with your child care situation.

What Is the Purpose of a Parent/Provider Contract?

        First, having the elements of your relationship in writing will formalize the agreements that you have together. Normally, such an agreement will include the terms of care (how long, and when), and the costs. A second purpose is to resolve any conflicts that you may have regarding the child care services. A written contract signed by both parties will help to resolve any doubts that either side has about the terms of your services as a provider.

        And for parents - why would a contract be important? It is important for you to have in writing what the terms are of your obligations, as well as what the provider is promising to do. For example, if the terms of your written contract say that you will pay $100 each week for child care, and that no changes can be made without 2 week notice, then your provider cannot surprise you one day by demanding $200 a week - she must first give you two weeks notice of this change.

What To Look For in a Parent/Provider Contract

        Most Parent/Provider contracts are very basic - and that is all that they need to be. Make sure it spells out who the legal parents or guardians are, and their contact information. Furthermore, make sure that the amount that is being charged, as well as any fees are written out plainly, and it is clear when payment is due. These sections are usually the cause for the most confusion and problems. Also, make sure that the allowable terms of termination of the contract are also included. Other issues may include special fees, vacation/absences, or overtime pay.

        Many child care providers also have a policy handbook, or set of guidelines. This may be different from the contract. Policies will usually describe the type of activities that will occur, the meal type and schedules, emergency procedures, and more. Policies may be more flexible, and may not require a parent signature (although it is important for parents to be given a copy of all policies).

Is a contract binding?

        Generally, yes. If both parties sign the contract, and the contract does not include any provision that is illegal or discriminatory, then the contract, and all provisions within it, is binding. This means that if either the parent or the provider breaches their duties under the contract, they may be sued because of it. Contracts may not be changed unless both parties agree to it in writing. Policy guidelines that are not included within the contract are not so formal, and may be changed at anytime

        Both parents and providers should not be afraid to negotiate child care contracts. If a printed contract says that “parent will pick up child at 5:00 p.m.,” and you do not get out of work until 5:15 - you should inform the provider of this ahead of time, and change it right on the contract if the provider agrees. This will save you from potential overtime, or late fees, and it will save the child care provider from the headache of expecting you every day at the wrong time. While neither party ultimately has to agree to all suggestions during negotiations, you have a better chance at making a child care situation work for you if you are up front from the beginning.

        If you have questions about your child care contract, or about child care in general, please call Mindy Marranca at 847-0650.

Here’s a quick guide to help you maintain peak flavor and texture in food. Please note that we’re being very conservative. In most cases, the food can be held longer than indicated and will not make anyone sick. It will have diminished in quality, however. When in doubt, throw it out is the golden rule here.

Dairy foods: Keep in the refrigerator in the original wrappings. Pay attention to expiration dates. Butter will keep in the fridge for one to two weeks. (If you want it to last longer, freeze it. It will keep for a year.)

Most hard cheese will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator. Hard cheese may be frozen in air-tight wrappings, but may be crumbly when thawed. Unopened cottage cheese will keep for several days. Unopened cream cheese will keep for about two weeks.

Heavy creams may be frozen and will whip after thawing with some small loss of volume. (Frozen ultra-pasteurized heavy cream will not whip well.)

Use ice cream within one month.

Commercial canned goods: Store in a cool place on the pantry shelf. The National Canners’ Association advises using within a year. After the can is open, the contents can be refrigerated or frozen.

Home canned goods: Stored in a cool, dark cupboard, they will keep for a year, according to the USDA.

Dried foods: Air-tight packages kept in a dark, cool cupboard will last for a year.

Eggs: In the refrigerator in the shell in the original carton, large end up. (Don’t use the cute little dimpled egg holders in the door; it’s not cold enough.) Watch the expiration dates though, eggs will probably keep longer than they indicate. They lose quality, however, so don’t serve them boiled or fried. Use them in cooking.

Bologna, ham: In the refrigerator, in an air-tight package. Once package is open, use within a week.

Fresh meat: In fridge, loosely wrapped in foil or plastic. Chops, roasts, steaks will keep well for two days. Ground meat should not be kept refrigerated for more than a day.

Uncooked poultry: In refrigerator, use within two days. In freezer, up to six months.

Fresh fish: In refrigerator, use within a day. In freezer, four to six months.

Bread: On the cupboard shelf or in a bread box, use within days. Can be frozen, but it’s never the same.

Fruit: Most fruit should be stored in the refrigerator and used within five to seven days. Wrap the fruit loosely; otherwise it rots. Yes, bananas can be refrigerated. The skin will darken, but the fruit inside will be fine.

Vegetables: Asparagus, green beans, corn, eggplant, greens, mushrooms, radishes and zucchini should be refrigerated and used within three days.

Beets, cabbage, carrots, ginger root and turnips should also be refrigerated, but they will keep one to two weeks.

Onions, potatoes and winter squash should be stored in dry, dark, cool cupboards.

Tomatoes should be stores at room temperature. Never refrigerate them.

Ground coffee: In air-tight container in the refrigerator; use within a month. Will keep six months in the freezer. Coffee beans will keep in the refrigerator for three months; nine months in the freezer.

Flour, sugar, rice: Room temperature in air-tight container. Will keep for one year.

Honey, jams, syrups: Store in the cupboard at room temperature; use within a year.

Ketchup: Opened on the cupboard shelf, use within a month. Refrigerate for longer storage.

Mustard: Refrigerate after opening; use in a month.

Macaroni and pasta: Air-tight packages in cupboard. Use within a year.

Oils: At room temperature in air-tight containers. Will keep at least three months.

Opened wine: In refrigerator in tightly stoppered bottle. Use within two weeks.

Ground spices and herbs: Air-tight cupboard storage. Lose potency after a year or so.

A Buffalo Evening News Article by Janice Okun

Now that the summer months are upon us we all need to show greater concern for our own personal safety. Here are a list of Street Smart Tips that were complied by Attorney General Eliot Spitzer’s office:

Don’t be fooled by appearance: Treat every stranger as just that.....a stranger.

There is strength in numbers: Walk with a friend, especially at night or when using a cash machine.

Phone ahead: Tell a friend where you are going and promise to phone when you have arrived safely.

Carry “throw-away” cash: A larger bill wrapped around singles can be thrown to distract a mugger...while you run.

Never get into an attacker’s car: Kick, scream, whatever it takes, but never get into a car.

Make a scene: Do not be afraid to draw attention to yourself if you feel threatened.

Call the Police: Always report crimes and cooperate with the police to help capture your attacker.

Maggie’s Corner

        If you have recently made a visit to the Rath Building and the Department of Social Services, you will have noticed yet another change. Once inside the door at 158 Pearl St., you will immediately be greeted by a banner announcing that you have now entered the Erie County Works Center.

        And just how will this new name change things? Any new applicants for public assistance will fill out a general job application and promptly meet with a job counselor on the first day that she applies for benefits. She will be assessed and it will immediately be determined which of two groups she would fall into. Those with job skills and a work history will be expected to report to the state Labor Department. Those who need a little more assistance will be required to take a training course where they will learn job skills with possibly an additional assignment to a local agency for further help.

        This new approach is designed to give welfare recipients “hope and opportunity”.

Make the vanilla pudding according to the package. Using a large bowl (preferably clear), place of layer of bananas on the bottom. Add of layer of pudding on top of the bananas and then add strawberries. Alternate layers of pudding with layers of fruit until you have used all of your ingredients.

Overwhelmed by paperwork from your loans?

Are you delinquent with your loan payments?

Are you in default? Are your wages garnished?