d. Payment Incentives for Accreditation and Professional Development
Licensed child care providers whose programs meet the standards promulgated by state or national accrediting agencies recognized by the commissioner shall be entitled to a payment incentive as long as they maintain their accreditation. The payment incentive shall be equal to five percent of the amount calculated in subdivision (b)(1) of section 17b-749-15 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies prior to any deductions for fees, overpayments or any mandated withholding. Accrediting agencies recognized by the commissioner shall include but not be limited to: the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, a division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children; the National School Age Child Care Alliance; the National Association of Family Child Care; and the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, Inc.
The commissioner may establish additional payment incentives for licensed and unlicensed providers eligible for CCAP based on completion of course work toward achieving a Child Development Associate credential, a degree program or other professional development courses or credentials or other quality standards. Incentives may be paid as a lump sum bonus, a flat amount added to the monthly payment or as an increase in the payment rate.
Providers shall apply for payment incentives in a manner specified by the CCAP administrator and shall provide satisfactory documentation. Incentives for eligible providers shall become effective in the month following the month in which the application and all required documentation are submitted to the CCAP administrator. Providers may be required to submit updated documentation confirming their current accreditation or professional development status. Providers shall notify the CCAP administrator if their accreditation is revoked or expires, or if the conditions that qualified the provider for the incentive pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection change. Incentives shall continue to be paid until the end of the month in which such status changes.