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CAPS Policy – Provider Rights and Responsibilities No.: CAPS/00-12 Effective Date: 10/01/2016 Revised: 03/02/2026 Revision Effective: 03/02/2026

CAPS Policy Manual

Page 79 of 109 Date Description of Change 05/15/2020 Added information related to eligible providers. Clarified that when multiple types of care are provided within the same service week (i.e., full time, part time, before and/or after), the maximum rate CAPS will reimburse to the provider is the state maximum rate for full time care or the provider’s published rate for full time care for children in DFCS custody and children with qualifying disabilities. Removed requirement that Quality Rated eligible providers be Quality Rated by December 31, 2020, to allow for an extension of the requirement’s implementation date. 11/02/2020 Added language noting providers must ensure they are operating within the guidelines as prescribed in CAPS Participating Providers Policy (CAPS/00-11) when the parent of the eligible child is receiving CAPS subsidies at the location child care services are rendered. Added language clarifying expectations for reporting excessive unexplained absence. 07/01/2021 Added CAPS/Quality Rated deadline date and milestone dates for licensed providers. 10/01/2021 Added language to note the provider is responsible for submitting complete and accurate contact information, including email address. The email address will be used as the primary contact to communicate and send information to the provider. Removed milestone language regarding CAPS/Quality Rated goal. Added additional information on Quality Rated can be viewed in the CAPS/Quality Rated Guidelines and Requirements (Appendix II). Revised CAPS/Quality Rated Probationary Status and CAPS/Quality Rated Provisional Status language to clarify the provider will be enrolled in a Cohort Group as directed by Quality Rated. Added language to note licensed providers that choose not to enroll in Quality Rated will not be eligible to receive child care subsidy payments. Providers currently participating in CAPS will be dismissed from the CAPS program. Added language to note a licensed provider can be reinstated one year from the date of dismissal once CAPS Quality Rated Provisional Status has been granted by Quality Rated. 11/15/2023 Added language to clarify appeals/fair hearing requests must be postmarked in writing by the deadline posted on the notice within 14 calendar days from the date of the notice on an appealable or adverse action taken by DECAL as applicable throughout this section. Revised language to clarify failure to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal ordinances, regulations, and policies will deem a provider out of compliance and may lead to adverse actions as deemed appropriate by CAPS including but not limited to, suspension, recoupment of funds, dismissal or disqualification from CAPS. Revised language to clarify providers currently participating in the CAPS program who allow their Quality Rated rating to expire will be dismissed. Added language regarding Quality Rated Tier Reimbursement. Revised language to add that providers must submit all required documents and application approved prior to receiving a scholarship for CAPS. Added language to clarify a child must have attended the provider at least once to claim a holding slot. Revised language to add all child care providers must submit invoices electronically through the Georgia Childcare Administrative and Payment System (GACAPS). Any child care provider that does not submit invoices through GACAPS will not receive its reimbursement and may not participate in the CAPS program. Added language for DECAL response if a child care provider’s license is suspended. Revised language to add payments of all invoices submitted by the provider that have been identified to have a potential billing error by GACAPS will be placed on a temporary hold for further review and verification by CAPS and may be subject to adverse action. Any adjustments of future payments that are made as a result of internal or provider error, intentional or not, are not appealable. Added DECAL Response for licensed providers with a suspended license. Added language to clarify providers may be suspended, dismissed, or disqualified for health and safety violations that are not explicitly defined in this policy and are not subject to appeal. Revised language to add providers can consent to receive 1099’s electronically or by mail annually and will have the option to change consent at any time. 10/01/2024 Revised language to clarify the program contact’s email address submitted will be used as the designated email to receive all communications. Revised language to clarify the provider is responsible for maintaining correct contact information and must report all changes in contact information within five business days of the change. Revised language to clarify how providers need to submit changes in contact information. Removed language regarding Quality Rated Tier Reimbursement. Revised language to clarify CPR and first aid health and safety standards for informal providers participating in CAPS. Revised language to add at DECAL’s sole discretion, providers currently receiving or anticipating