4.1 Access to Full Range of Provider Options

Lead Agencies must provide parents a choice of providers and offer assistance with child care services through a child care certificate (or voucher) or with a child care provider that has a grant or contract for the provision of child care services. Lead Agencies are reminded that policies and procedures should not restrict parental access to any type or category of care or provider (e.g., center care, home care, in-home care, for-profit provider, non-profit provider, or faith-based provider, etc.). 4.1.1 Parent choice a. Identify any barriers to provider participation, including barriers related to payment rates and practices, (including for family child care and in-home providers), based on provider feedback, public comment, and reports to the Lead Agency: Identified barriers to participation are compliance with expanded health and safety training requirements, increased teacher training requirements, lower group sizes and lower reimbursement rates. b. Does the Lead Agency offer child care assistance through vouchers or certificates? [x] Yes. [ ] No. c. Does the Lead Agency offer child care assistance through grants or contracts? [x] Yes. [ ] No. d. Describe how the parent is informed that the child care certificate allows the option to choose from a variety of child care categories, such as private, not-for-profit, faith-based providers; centers; family child care homes; or in-home providers: Information on parental choice is made widely available to parents via the DEL website and through consumer education materials provided by the ELCs and DEL. When parents become eligible for SR, they must sign a Terms and Conditions agreement that acknowledges their right to choose from a variety of child care categories pursuant to 45 CFR 98.30. Per Rule 6M-4.200(6), F.A.C., upon determination of eligibility, a parent shall be given a payment certificate to submit to an eligible child care provider to enroll the child in its school readiness program. The payment certificate shall at a minimum include the child(ren) for whom a coalition authorized child care, the provider the family selected, signatures of both the beneficiary and school readiness provider representative, the assessed parent copayment for each eligible child, the authorized hours of care and the authorized begin and end dates for school readiness services. e. Describe what information is included on the child care certificate: The payment certificate shall, at a minimum, include the child(ren) for whom an ELC authorized child care, the provider the family selected, signatures of both the beneficiary and SR provider representative, assessed parent copayment for each eligible child, authorized hours of care, and authorized begin and end dates for SR services.