MFWCCA 2008 ConferenceMFWCCA 2008 ConferenceEnhancing the CCAP Child Enhancing the CCAP Child Care Experience for FamiliesCare Experience for Families

“Promoting the CCAP program, and other early learning resources.

Informing the families you serve about quality child care.”

Who is a Key Partner in the CCAP Program?

Very complex work situations

You are the most public Face and Voice for your county

You bear the brunt of the complaints & unhappy customers for the county

Highly dedicated workforce Key partner in the Child Care

Assistance Program Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Why is Quality Child Care Important?

Why is Quality Child Care Why is Quality Child Care Important?Important? In the 1950’s, most kids were cared for at

home.

By 1998, 78% of all women with children under 13 years old, were working.

By 2007, it was predicted that 83% of women ages 25-54 will be working.

Why is Quality Care Important ?Why is Quality Care Important ? 90% of a child’s brain is developed by age 5

Millions of American children are spending 40-50 hours a week in child care.

Why is Quality Child Care ImportantWhy is Quality Child Care Important

Parents need a full range of child care options so that they can work or go to school.

Children need healthy, safe and quality learning environments while they are in child care.

5 Steps to Choosing Quality Child Care

5 Steps to Choosing Quality Child 5 Steps to Choosing Quality Child CareCare

#1 Start Early

5 Steps to Choosing Quality 5 Steps to Choosing Quality Child CareChild Care

#2 Make a Call or search on the internet.

MNchildcare.org or1-888-291-9811

5 steps to Choosing Quality 5 steps to Choosing Quality Child CareChild Care

#3 Visit and Ask Questions

Parents can go to : www.licensinglookup.dhs.state.mn.us

5 steps to choosing quality 5 steps to choosing quality child carechild care

For sample questions, go to mnchildcare.org Click on families Click on selecting childcare Click on phone interviews Click on face to face interviews

5 Steps to Choosing Quality 5 Steps to Choosing Quality Child CareChild Care

#4 Make a Choice

5 Steps to choosing quality 5 Steps to choosing quality child carechild care

#5 Stay Involved

Child Care Assistance Program

Minnesota Child Care Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Assistance Program (CCAP)

Provides Child Care Assistance so: Child care is affordable Children are well cared for and ready to learnParent can work or prepare for work

Child Care Assistance ProgramChild Care Assistance ProgramChild Care ProvidersChild Care Providers

There are 4 different types of CCAP providers.Licensed family child care Licensed centersLicense exempt centers Legal non-licensed providers

Legal Non Licensed ProviderLegal Non Licensed ProviderAt least 18 years of ageNot a member of the MFIP

assistance unit, or a member of the family applying for or receiving child care assistance.

Provides child care only to related children, and/or provides child care to children from a single unrelated family at one time.

CCAP Provider RegistrationCCAP Provider Registration

A provider must be reauthorized for CCAP every 2 years

CCAP Provider registration is a separate process from licensing.

Licensing or re-licensing a provider does not reauthorize a provider in CCAP

CCAP & ES workers working CCAP & ES workers working togethertogether

prevent initial delays in child care authorizations

prevent gaps in child care authorizations or services

authorize the most care possible to provide parents with the most options

cluster EP activities to create blocks of time that fit with child care provider schedules and practices

CCAP General Eligibility

Child Care Assistance Program Child Care Assistance Program General EligibilityGeneral Eligibility

Parents must:Have income less than or equal to 47% of SMI at

program entry and equal to or more than 67% of SMI at program exit.

Use a legal child care provider.

Cooperate with child support enforcement for all children in the household with an absent parent.

Be in an authorized activity.

Child Care Assistance ProgramChild Care Assistance ProgramGeneral EligibilityGeneral Eligibility

Have a child 12 years or younger, or 13 or 14 years old if the child has a disability.

Be assessed a family copayment fee based on gross income and household size.

Authorizations

Child Care Assistance Child Care Assistance Program AuthorizationProgram Authorization

Hours needed for the parent/s to participate in their activity

AND The age of and care necessary for

eligible children

Child Care AuthorizationsChild Care Authorizations The authorization must contain enough

information for the provider and parent to know the total amount of care that CCAP will pay, the county’s maximum rates and how payments will be made.

If the parent is sent home early or the child is picked up early , the county must pay according to the authorization.

School Readiness Initiatives

School Readiness Initiatives for at School Readiness Initiatives for at Risk ChildrenRisk Children

School Readiness Connections – SRC Pre-Kindergarten Allowance Program Minnesota Early Learning Foundation

(MELF) Scholarships

School Readiness Connections

(SRC)

School Readiness ConnectionsSchool Readiness Connections

$1 million (one-time) was appropriated over the 2008-2009 biennium for this pilot project

Selected providers are eligible for a CCAP maximum payment 25% higher than the current maximums and more child friendly payment policies to support continuity of care

School Readiness ConnectionsSchool Readiness Connections

14 providers from 9 counties are serving

approximately 220 children ages 0-5 Priority was given to programs that had at

least 25% of the children subsidized through CCAP

School Readiness ConnectionsSchool Readiness Connections

Providers have been selected based on program description, licensing compliance, caregiver/staff qualifications, educational environment, & ability to provide supports to low income families & children

School Readiness ConnectionsSchool Readiness Connections

For more information about School Readiness Connections you may contact

Stacia Rosas 651-431-4259 stacia.rosas@state.mn.usorLaurie Possin 651-431-4044 Laurie.J.Possin@state.mn.us

Parent Aware

Parent Aware Parent Aware

Participating pilot areas are located in:

Blue Earth & Nicollet countiesWayzata School DistrictSt. Paul & North Minneapolis

Parent Aware Web SiteParent Aware Web Site

www.parentawareratings.org

Pre-K Allowance Program

Pre-K allowancesPre-K allowances Annual income at or below 185% of

the FPG guidelines which is about $38,000 a year for a family of 4

Have one or more children who are 3 or 4 years old or will be 3 or 4 by September 1

Pre-K allowancesPre-K allowancesSt. Paul 651-641-6604North Minneapolis 612-348-4111Wayzata School district 612-348-

4111Blue Earth & Nicollet counties 507-345-6822

Other support programs in Other support programs in the pilot areas.the pilot areas. St. Paul Early Childhood Scholarship

Program for families in Frogtown and North End Area of St. Paul 651-641-6604

500 under 5 serving families in North Minneapolis contact Way to Grow at 612-874-4740 ext.115

Caring for Kids Initiative for families living in the Wayzata school district contact Nancy Johnson at 952-288-2568 or njohnson@iocp.org

MEC² IntegratedMEC² Integrated

For more information contact your county MEC2 mentor

DHS is also presenting a MEC2 workshop on Thursday at 10:15 am & 2:45 pm in Split Rock #1

Useful Tools and ResourcesUseful Tools and Resources Legal Reference Minnesota Statute 119B: www.leg.state.mn.us Minnesota Rule 3400:

www.revisor.leg.mn.us/rule/3400 Bulletins can be located at:

www.dhs.state.mn.us-example of CCAP bulletin numbering 06-68-02

Useful toolsUseful tools

Child Care Assistance Policy Manualwww.dhs.state.mn.us Click on countylink, click on manuals and then click on CCAP manualFor the Provider Guidewww.dhs.state.mn.us Click on Forms (e Docs) click search, enter

either CCAP provider guide or DHS-5260-ENG.

DHS appreciates the work that you do for the CCAP program.