equal-access-payment-rates

Reason(s) for non-compliance: • The Lead Agency’s payment rates for preschoolers in center-based care and preschoolers in family child care homes are not sufficient to ensure equal access, as required by 98.45(a). (Plan Question 4.3.2a) Overall Target Completion Date: 08/31/2025 Action Step Number Action Step Description Target Completion Date 1 Lead Agency SFY 2026 budget request includes an increase to all child care provider reimbursement rates to at least the 50th percentile of the 2024 Market Rate Survey, and maintains enhanced quality rates at 50% increase above the base rate for providers demonstrating high quality 09/30/2024 2 Final SFY2026 State Budget package is signed 06/30/2025 3 Implement new rates, pending available funding 07/31/2025 4 Submit State Plan Amendment 08/31/2025