loading…
loading…
loading…
359 | P a g e FFY 2025–2027 CCDF State Plan
[x] Yes. [ ] No. b. Provide the direct URL/website link to the sliding fee scale. https://caps.decal.ga.gov/assets/downloads/CAPS/09-CAPS_Policy-Family%20Fees.pdf AND https://caps.decal.ga.gov/assets/downloads/CAPS/AppendixD- Family%20Fee%20Assessment%20Chart.pdf 9.3 Increasing Engagement and Access to Information Lead Agencies must collect and disseminate information about the full range of child care services to promote parental choice to parents of children eligible for CCDF, the general public, and child care providers. 9.3.1 Information about CCDF availability and eligibility Describe how the Lead Agency shares information with eligible parents, the general public, and child care providers about the availability of child care services provided through CCDF and other programs for which the family may be eligible. The description should include, at a minimum, what is provided (e.g., written materials, the website, and direct communications) and what approaches are used to tailor information to parents, the general public, and child care providers. The DECAL website at www.decal.ga.gov has information about all programs, supports, and services the agency offers to families with young learners and providers including the Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) subsidy program, Georgia’s Pre-K Program, Child Care Services, Nutrition Services, and Quality Rated. The website includes written materials that can be downloaded and printed by users. Additionally, the agency issues newsletters, news releases to the media, social media communications, flyers, palm cards, emails, letters, and text messages to eligible parents, the general public, and child care providers describing and promoting its programs, supports, and services. All this information is also disseminated by the agency’s Community Coordinators to families, providers, community leaders, and the general public through their newsletters, birth-to-8 groups, and community meetings. In addition to the DECAL website, the Lead Agency also has a website at www.qualityrated.org that includes a search engine with information on licensed child care learning centers, family child care learning homes, and exempt programs that accept child care subsidies. The search engine allows families to find providers based on their needs (e.g., location, hours of operation, and type of care). Families can also see whether the child care program is Quality Rated and read its licensing inspection reports, all to help them make informed decisions. The website also includes information on a child care provider’s participation in other Lead Agency programs, including Georgia's Pre-K Program; the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and the CAPS subsidy program. Beyond the child care search engine, the site informs families that if they want help with their child care search, the 1- 877-ALLGAKIDS Call Center that the Lead Agency funds is staffed by specialists who can perform a search for them and provide them with child care referrals. Families can reach the Call Center in person, by phone, through email, or through an online chat bot. The Call Center staff also help families that fall into certain categories of high need enroll their children in child care. Additionally, the https://families.decal.ga.gov/ChildCare/Choosing section of the site includes an overview of Quality Rated child care, plus information on choosing a child care program and a summer camp program, paying for child care, and understanding licensing reports. The Lead Agency has also launched a provider self-service website that allows child care programs to update basic demographic information, pay license and enforcement fees, and submit and track