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 are not sufficient to ensure equal access, as required by 98.45(a). (Plan Question 4.3.2a) Overall Target Completion Date: 09/30/2025 Action Step Number Action Step Description Target Completion Date 1 Analyze the results of the 2024 Market Rate Survey and Narrow Cost Analysis. 03/31/2025 2 Continue to work with the Legislature to increase payment rates for preschoolers in center-based and family child care for equal access. Work with internal and legislative budget staff to determine the cost of increasing payment rates. Obtain agency head approval. Coordinate with legislative staff. Engage in legislative activities. 05/31/2025 3 Based upon legislative appropriation, update payment rates for preschools in center-based and family child care in the single statewide information system. 07/01/2025 4 Submit CCDF plan amendment. 09/30/2025