Employees and family members can receive the guidance of dependent care specialists on locating, selecting, and using service providers. A specialist will discuss with the employee/family member the available types of care and/or support programs, the advantages and disadvantages of each, financial assistance, and applicable regulations. The specialists will also offer assistance to the employee/family member in clarifying his/her own priorities and preferences so that he/she can choose the most appropriate type of care available. Guidance on issues specific to elder care will be included, such as long-distance caregiving, joint decision-making with the dependent elder, identification of hidden and interrelated problems, etc.

Based on the needs and preferences stated by the employee, the dependent care specialist will conduct research to identify referral resources that best fit the dependent’s needs such as specific service providers. The specialist will provide the employee with the names and contact information for referral options that best meet the needs of the employee (i.e., age requirements, geographic locations, operation hours, etc.). These referrals will be provided in a timely manner, usually within two (2) to four (4) business days after receiving the employee’s initial request. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate callers with more urgent needs for service. Referrals will be provided by telephone, fax, and/or mail, based on the employee’s preference.

Each employee or family member contacting the service will receive an individualized packet of pertinent information, specifically tailored to his or her dependent care needs. This information may include some or all of the following:

• Dependent Care provider profiles based on specific requested criteria
• School and camp information
• Printed material on guidelines for child care and elder care selection such as:
  · Questions to ask when interviewing care providers
  · Child care checklist
  · How to locate an in-home provider
• Specific information on various services, i.e., transportation, recreational programs, meals, etc.
• Financial support information (planning, insurance)
• Related information articles such as:
  · Parenting tip sheets
  · Safer Seniors (Safety information for elders)
  · Guide to Retirement Living
  · Medicare and You 2002
  · Elder Care Handbook
  · Additional general or specific child/elder care information

Referrals are made to in-home placement agencies and/or home health agencies, but will not be made to individuals who come to the employee’s home to provide services to children/adults, as these are unlicensed providers.

The dependent care specialist will contact the employee after providing them with referrals/information and will continue to communicate with them to offer additional assistance throughout the selection process. After the employee has received services, a follow-up call will take place to assure that the employee has received the assistance needed and is completely satisfied.

For more information or to find out if you have access to these enhanced services, contact COPE.

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