Queens print edition (PDF) - Caribbean Life

BACK TO SCHOOL • Aug. 24–30, 2012 • Caribbean Life • Queens/Bronx/Manhattan/Westchester • Page 26College of Health Related ProfessionsContinuing EducationThe Office of Continuing Medical Education at Downstateis offering a Medical Billing and Coding certificateprogram to assist individuals entering the field of medicalcoding.This program provides the foundation information andskill development necessary for those seeking careeropportunities as a certified coder in physician’s offices,hospitals, insurance companies, medical billing servicedepartments and other health related facilities.Visit us online at www.downstate.edu/cmeCall Today For More Information at(718) 270-2422Or send us an e-mail at ocme@downstate.edu Registernow!Class StartsOctober2012 ! Dual-income families are relying on after-care programs more and more.In a perfect world, school and workhours would run concurrently. But theaverage school day begins at 9 am andcontinues until 3 pm, while the averagework day lasts from 9 am to 5 pm. As a result,parents must arrange for child careduring those hours when school is out, butthey are still at work.The two-income family is more commonthan ever before. Today, roughly 80 percentof families in North America have bothparents working.Dual-income families often have tomake difficult choices about child care. Accordingto the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2010,48 percent of children ages 0 to 4 with employedmothers were primarily cared forby a relative. Twenty-four percent spent themajority of their time in a center-based arrangement.As children grow and attendelementary school, traditional day care isusually not an option.School-based careMany schools offer programs both beforeand after school, many of which arereasonably priced. This helps dual-incomefamilies, but may not be practical duringearly-release days, during teacher planningdays, or holiday breaks.Programs that help parents beforeschool typically allow them to drop off theirchildren before they head to work. The studentsare kept in the gym or cafeteria untilthe regular school day begins. At dismissal,after-care students will return to the designatedlocation to work on homework orengage in some activities with others untiltheir parents arrive to take them home.Family and friendsParents frequently turn to friends orfamily members to bridge the gap betweenPhoto by Colin McGuireAfter-school care optionsfor dual-income familiesschool and work. Students who carpool maybe dropped off early at the driver’s homeand stay there after school until their parentsget home.In addition, many families have welcomedolder relatives into their homes inlight of the struggling economy. In suchinstances, grandparents or aunts and unclescan look after the kids once school hasended for the day.After-school programsSome children are enrolled in care centersthat watch them before school, busthem to school, and then return in the afternoonto pick up the children again. Thisis one of the more costly options in childcare. However, it may be more educationallystructured than the care programsprovided at school.When the decision is made, there aresome questions parents should ask beforeenrollment:• What is the ratio of caregivers to students?• What is the cost of the program?• How are delayed opening days andearly dismissal days handled? Holidays andbreaks?• What happens if I arrive late?• What activities will take place?• Are caregivers teachers or volunteers?• Are background checks conducted?• Is financial assistance available?• Is there a nurse available?• How are emergencies handled?• If my child is absent, do I receive a refundfor that day?• How long is the waiting list?These are just some of the questions toask, and parents are encouraged to come upwith their own to find the best program fortheir children.