3.1 Family Co-payments

Lead Agencies must establish and periodically revise a sliding-fee scale for families receiving CCDF services that varies based on income and the size of the family to determine each family’s contribution (i.e., co-payment) and does not create a barrier to receiving CCDF assistance. In addition to income and the size of the family, the Lead Agency may use other factors as appropriate when determining family contributions/co-payments. Lead Agencies may not use price of care or amount of subsidy payment in determining co-payments. Lead Agencies must ensure that the total payment to a child care provider is not reduced because of family’s lowered or waived co-payment. 3.1.1 Family co-payment Lead Agencies may not charge any family more than 7% of a family’s gross income, regardless of the number of children participating in CCDF. a. What is the maximum percent of a family’s gross income any family could be charged as a co-payment? At this time, co-payments in Idaho are a flat rate assessed per child based on household size, household income, and qualifying activity hours. While Idaho looks forward to updating our copayment calculations there is not currently a maximum percentage of a family’s gross income. b. Does the Lead Agency certify that their sliding fee scales are always based on income and family size (regardless of how many different scales they may use)? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: 3.1.2 Sliding fee scale Provide the CCDF co-payments for eligible families in the table(s) below according to family size for one child in care. a. Is the sliding fee scale set statewide? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe how the sliding fee scale is set: b. Complete the table below. If the sliding fee scale is not set statewide, complete the table for the most populous locality: -- A B C D E F Family Size Lowest monthly income at initial eligibility where the family is first charged a co-pay (greater than $0). What is the monthly co-payment for a family of this size based on the income level in (A)? What percentage of income is the co- payment in (B)? Highest monthly income at initial eligibility where a family is charged a co-pay before a family is no longer eligible. What is the monthly co- payment for a family of this size based on the income level in (D)? What percentage of income is this co- payment in (E)? 1 0.00 10.00 200.00 2127.00 75.00 3.50 2 0.00 10.00 200.00 2876.00 75.00 2.60 3 0.00 10.00 200.00 3626.00 75.00 2.00 4 0.00 10.00 200.00 4375.00 75.00 1.70 -- A B C D E F Family Size Lowest monthly income at initial eligibility where the family is first charged a co-pay (greater than $0). What is the monthly co-payment for a family of this size based on the income level in (A)? What percentage of income is the co- payment in (B)? Highest monthly income at initial eligibility where a family is charged a co-pay before a family is no longer eligible. What is the monthly co- payment for a family of this size based on the income level in (D)? What percentage of income is this co- payment in (E)? 5 0.00 10.00 200.00 5125.00 75.00 1.40 c. What is the effective date of the sliding-fee scale(s)? October 01, 2023 d. Provide the link(s) to the sliding-fee scale(s): https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/providers/child-care-providers/child-care-resources e. Does the Lead Agency allow providers to charge families additional amounts above the required co-payment in instances where the provider’s price exceeds the subsidy payment? [ ] No. [x] Yes. If yes: i. Provide the rationale for the Lead Agency’s policy to allow providers to charge families additional amounts above the required co-payment, including a demonstration of how the policy does not provide a barrier and promotes affordability and access for families: When defining policies for families and providers, we review balancing both continuity for children with policies that are fair to providers. The decision to allow additional rate above the required co- payment is a combination of both levers. Ensuring families have choice and access, while also allowing child care businesses to identify their costs as such to promote and provide quality care. Providers and advocacy groups continue to support the practice of allowing childcare providers to charge above the Local Market Rate, as demonstrated in comments provided as feedback to this plan. Families participating with the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP) continue to access every type of child care provider, including high quality providers participating in Idaho's QRIS program and NAEYC accreditation. Ongoing Market Rate updates continue to ensure that ICCP participating providers will maintain their participation with ICCP, and families will continue to be able to access Idaho's best child care choices. ii. Provide data (including data on the size and frequency of such amounts) on the extent to which CCDF providers charge additional amounts to families: Idaho retains this information in our benefit eligibility system and is in the process of gathering and evaluating this information, an amendment will be made once the data evaluation is complete.