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for questions related to payment policies. d. Describe how the Lead Agency provides prompt notice to providers regarding any changes to the family’s eligibility status that could impact payments, and such a notice is sent no later than the day that the Lead Agency becomes aware that such a change will occur: On the day that the Lead Agency is aware of eligibility status changes, notices are sent to providers through Georgia Gateway to inform providers of any potential impact to payments being issued by the lead agency. Georgia Gateway is the system used to determine eligibility, create cases, and issue scholarships for care at eligible provider locations. e. Describe the Lead Agency’s timely appeal and resolution process for payment inaccuracies and disputes: Payment disputes and concerns regarding payment inaccuracies are addressed through the Lead Agency’s Provider Relations Quality Assurance and Payments team. A provider can request payment adjustments in the payment system, Georgia’s Child Care and Administrative Payment System, GACAPS, for various reasons that resulted in an under or overpayment to the provider. These payment requests are reviewed by the team, and payments are netted against previous payments, when applicable. CAPS Policy 12.3.3.2 provides appeal rights for providers receiving subsidies through the CAPS program. The policy states that providers have the right to appeal finance related matters and can request a hearing. CAPS Policy 18.4.2 describes providers’ right to an administrative hearing and providers’ right to request a reconsideration related to reclaiming funds. When funds are recouped from a provider through payment reviews conducted by the Quality Assurance and Payments team, they will receive a request for reconsideration and review the prior decision. If the decision is affirmed, the provider has the right to appeal. Appeals are handled by the Lead Agency’s Legal Division. A reconsideration and appeal process is also afforded to providers for reviews conducted by the Lead Agency’s Audits and Compliance team. f. Other. Describe any other payment practices established by the Lead Agency: 4.4.3 Payment practices and parent choice How do the Lead Agency’s payment practices facilitate provider participation in all categories of care? The Lead Agency uses a web-based billing portal to process provider claims. Once eligible providers sign up to be a program provider for child care subsidy, they are automatically enrolled to use the web-based portal. All providers are paid via an ACH transfer to the account provided. The web-based portal allows providers to view eligible children assigned to their program, track attendance, and quickly submit an invoice for care weekly. In addition, as noted in 4.4.1, the Lead Agency has taken steps to support equal access to a range of providers by: delinking provider payments from a child’s occasional absence and paying providers for a full week of care if the child is present at least one day that week; paying providers up to two weeks a year even if the child is absent the entire week; paying for full-time or part-time care (rather than hours or other smaller increments); and paying for registration fees 4.5 Supply Building Building a supply of high-quality child care that meets the needs and preferences of parents participating in CCDF is necessary to meet CCDF’s core purposes. Lead Agencies must support parent choice by providing some portion of direct services via grants or contracts, including at a