VENT: I have had it with Cultural Care's new matching system!!!!

[Anonymous]

PP that suggested looking at APC. My CC matching specialist gave me the textbook response that she would pass my feedback along. This doesn't help. What I want is a change now and more responsive APs who want to connect without having to dangle bribes and promises of an easy job. No problem with this from APC. I probably did contact at least 10 APs to find 1, but when CC APs don't bother to respond then it takes months rather than two weeks to find that 1.

[Anonymous]

I'm curious, what non-AP options are you thinking of looking into?

I was in a very similar boat to you and finally found a match through a different agency, after having started the process with CCAP in March. So frustrating. I was on the fence about where to put that frustration energy but went with the other agency. I'd love to move away from APs because of the lawsuit and the constant churn (though when it works, it's worked great for us -- and I do like the foreign exchange component a whole lot). But I'm not optimist about finding a reliable after-school babysitter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious, what non-AP options are you thinking of looking into?

I was in a very similar boat to you and finally found a match through a different agency, after having started the process with CCAP in March. So frustrating. I was on the fence about where to put that frustration energy but went with the other agency. I'd love to move away from APs because of the lawsuit and the constant churn (though when it works, it's worked great for us -- and I do like the foreign exchange component a whole lot). But I'm not optimist about finding a reliable after-school babysitter.

OP here! I started to investigate non-AP options and found a person in my town who runs an agency who connects sitter/nanny/house manager types with families who are looking. I spoke with her and she confirmed my recollection that it is indeed pretty hard to find split shift sitters, but not impossible. Even if we can't though, we can probably get by during mornings in most cases (though it would be hard and fall more on me than DH due to his morning schedule), in which case I would look for someone (who drives) who can come after lunch to walk the dog and maybe do some household tasks, then get our child after school, take her where she needs to be, cook dinner, etc until we get home. Snow/sick days would be another story but we'd have to get by with DD staying alone for a bit if one of us could not cover. I have a headache just thinking about it! Maybe more than the headache I get when thinking about the CC matching system this year!

Without jinxing it, i did manage to find a CC candidate who is both normal/nice AND very responsive (just when i was about to give up!)!! We are still talking to her but I am cautiously optimistic .

[Anonymous]

What do you think is a reasonable response time for a connected candidate? I'm finding that at least week goes by between responses (of any kind, email, what's app, followup after skype). I understand that candidates are busy finishing school and jobs, and furthermore they don't have as much urgency as they once did to speak with a family and advance (or not) quickly, but I'm really having a hard time distinguishing between being put on ice or simply having connected with candidates who don't know better how to engage in an appropriate dialogue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you think is a reasonable response time for a connected candidate? I'm finding that at least week goes by between responses (of any kind, email, what's app, followup after skype). I understand that candidates are busy finishing school and jobs, and furthermore they don't have as much urgency as they once did to speak with a family and advance (or not) quickly, but I'm really having a hard time distinguishing between being put on ice or simply having connected with candidates who don't know better how to engage in an appropriate dialogue.

24 hours max.

[Anonymous]

Part of the problem is that they are able to connect with up to 10 families. Can you imagine trying to keep 10 connections straight and have time for 10 different conversations.

I think they need to cut back how many connections.
Period.

As far as how long to wait, 24-48 hrs.