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: The Lead Agency received feedback from providers through the survey that was part of the Narrow Cost Analysis as well as through feedback sessions held to inform the CCDF State Plan. In both instances the top two concerns were reimbursement rates being less than their private pay tuition and difficult in understanding the CCA process/paperwork. Some additional concerns that were mentioned were payment based on attendance instead of slot which is different than how they charge private pay clients and challenges with parents understanding CCA. 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? [ ] Yes. [x] 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: The families are informed through multiple methods that that they may choose from a variety of child care arrangements. The lead agency’s website, as well as consumer education materials from Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral describe the family’s ability to choose from providers that have a CCA agreement with the Lead Agency. Additionally, the CCA application allows families to write in the child care provider that they wish to use. Upon review of the application if that provider does not currently have a CCA agreement with the Lead Agency, eligibility staff will let the family know that they can either choose a different provider or they can ask their desired provider to enter into a CCA agreement with the Lead Agency. e. Describe what information is included on the child care certificate: Families are issued a Notice of Decision (NOD) which includes the following: notice date, case number, worker name and phone number, action taken (i.e. approved or denied), when care is approved for (for all eligible children), the child care provider chosen for each child, the monthly income calculation that was determined by the lead agency, what changes they need to report, that they have the right to reapply at any time, and their appeal rights.