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53 | P a g e FFY 2025–2027 CCDF State Plan

The lead agency collected the bulk of the data through a stabilization reporting period from 5/1/2023 to 7/31/2023 but also included rates entered by providers as early as 1/1/2023 and as late as 9/30/2023. Evaluation of those rates deemed current, added by providers from 1/1/2023 through 9/30/2023, began in October of 2023 and is the referenced by the 2024 Market Rate Study. b. [ ] ACF pre-approved alternative methodology. i. [ ] The alternative methodology was completed. ii. [ ] The alternative methodology is in process. If the alternative methodology was completed: When were the data gathered and when was the study completed? Describe any major differences between the pre-approved methodology and the final methodology used to inform payment rates. Include any major changes to stakeholder engagement, data, assumptions or proposed scenarios. If the alternative methodology is in progress: Provide a status on the alternative methodology and timeline (i.e., dates when the alternative methodology activities will be conducted, any completed steps to date, anticipated date of completion, and expected date new rates will be in effect using the alternative methodology). c. Consultation on data collection methodology. Describe when and how the Lead Agency engaged the following partners and how the consultation informed the development and execution of the MRS or alternative methodology, as appropriate. iii. State Advisory Council or similar coordinating body: The Georgia Children’s Cabinet, the State Advisory Council, typically meets three times each year but in 2023, there were only two meetings, one in March 2023 and a second in July 2023. The Commissioner of the Lead Agency is the co-chair of the Cabinet and provides the Cabinet with updates regarding CCDF activities at each meeting in addition to other agency activities. The State Advisory Council did not provide any specific feedback to inform the Market Rate Study. iv. Local child care program administrators: The Lead Agency meets quarterly with stakeholders that represent licensed child care learning center operators and licensed family child care learning home operators. These regular meetings include updates regarding CCDF activities in addition to other agency activities. No specific feedback was given to inform the Market Rate Study; however, some feedback was received asking the Lead Agency should reconsider the counties assigned to each market rate zone. This feedback did not inform the development and execution of the Market Rate Study because the Study was already established to conduct that analysis. Ultimately, the Study did not result in any changes to which county was assigned to each zone in the proposed plan. v. Local child care resource and referral agencies: Georgia does not have a resource and referral network as defined by CCDF and these organizations, while integral to improving the quality of child care in Georgia, are not closely aligned with