MFWCCA 2008 Conference Enhancing the CCAP Child Care 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 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 will be working.

Why is Quality Care Important ? 90% of a child’s brain is developed by age 5 Millions of American children are spending hours a week in child care.

Why 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 Care 5 Steps to Choosing Quality Child Care #1 Start Early

5 Steps to Choosing Quality Child Care #2 Make a Call or search on the internet. MNchildcare.org or

5 steps to Choosing Quality Child Care #3 Visit and Ask Questions Parents can go to :

5 steps to choosing quality child care 5 steps to choosing quality child 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 Child Care #4 Make a Choice

5 Steps to choosing quality child care #5 Stay Involved

Child Care Assistance Program

Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Provides Child Care Assistance so: Child care is affordable Children are well cared for and ready to learn Parent can work or prepare for work

Child Care Assistance Program Child Care Providers There are 4 different types of CCAP providers. Licensed family child care Licensed centers License exempt centers Legal non-licensed providers

Legal Non Licensed Provider At least 18 years of age Not 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 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 together 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 General 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 Program General 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 Program Authorization Hours needed for the parent/s to participate in their activity AND The age of and care necessary for eligible children

Child Care Authorizations Child 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 Risk Children School Readiness Connections – SRC Pre-Kindergarten Allowance Program Minnesota Early Learning Foundation (MELF) Scholarships

School Readiness Connections (SRC)

School Readiness Connections $1 million (one-time) was appropriated over the 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 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 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 Connections For more information about School Readiness Connections you may contact Stacia Rosas or Laurie Possin

Parent Aware

Participating pilot areas are located in: Blue Earth & Nicollet counties Wayzata School District St. Paul & North Minneapolis

Parent Aware Web Site

Pre-K Allowance Program

Pre-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 allowances St. Paul North Minneapolis Wayzata School district Blue Earth & Nicollet counties

Other support programs in the pilot areas. St. Paul Early Childhood Scholarship Program for families in Frogtown and North End Area of St. Paul under 5 serving families in North Minneapolis contact Way to Grow at ext.115 Caring for Kids Initiative for families living in the Wayzata school district contact Nancy Johnson at or

MEC² Integrated For more information contact your county MEC 2 mentor DHS is also presenting a MEC2 workshop on Thursday at 10:15 am & 2:45 pm in Split Rock #1

Useful Tools and Resources Legal Reference Minnesota Statute 119B: Minnesota Rule 3400: Bulletins can be located at: -example of CCAP bulletin numbering

Useful tools Child Care Assistance Policy Manual Click on countylink, click on manuals and then click on CCAP manual For the Provider Guide 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.