To:

• All DHS Certified Child Care Providers;
• Relative Providers;
• InHome Providers;
• Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs); and
• The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Early Learning Resource Center Program Representatives

From:

Shante’ Brown,
Acting Deputy Secretary, Office of Child Development & Early Learning

Issue Date: Dec. 22, 2022
Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2023
End Date: N/A

To announce that a registration fee will be paid to Department of Human Services (DHS) certified child care providers for Child Care Works (CCW) children who are newly enrolled effective January 1, 2023, or after.

The Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDGB), at 42 U.S.C. section 9858c(c)(2)(G), and its regulation at 45 C.F.R. sections 98.45(l)(3)(ii) states the Lead Agency shall demonstrate that it has established payment practices applicable to all Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) child care providers that reflect generally accepted payment practices of child care providers that serve children who do not receive CCDF subsidies, which must include paying for reasonable mandatory registration fees that the provider charges to private-paying parents.

Effective January 1, 2023, Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs) will begin paying a registration fee to DHS certified child care providers for all CCW newly enrolled children. The registration fee will automatically be added to the provider invoice for the service period in which the enrollment was effective, regardless of whether the provider charges a registration fee.

Registration Fee Amounts for each CCW Newly Enrolled Child:

• Child Care Centers (CC) – $75
• Group Child Care Homes (GCCHs) – $50
• Family Child Care Homes (FCCHs) – $50

In order to comply with equal access and the CCDGB, at 42 U.S.C. section 9858c(c)(2)(G), and regulation 45 C.F.R. sections 98.45(l)(3)(ii), effective January 1, 2023, providers cannot charge CCW families registration fees or the difference between what the ELRC pays for a registration fee and what the provider charges private pay families for a registration fee. Charging CCW families a registration fee could result in termination of the provider agreement.

1. Review and share this information with appropriate staff.
2. Direct any question to your ELRC.

View full announcement as a PDF.