10260 Special Types of Payments

10260 Special Types of Payments

Substitute Care - Providers should be encouraged to find a substitute provider to come into their facility for temporary care per KDHE regulations. When a client needs a substitute provider outside the facility, the client should choose a second DCF approved provider and notify EES staff in advance, if possible, or within 10 days of the substitution. Child care plans shall not be modified for substitute care as clients will be able to pay the substitute provider with EBT benefits.

Enrollment Fees - DCF can subsidize clients up to $50 per child per case towards an enrollment fee for an approved provider if the provider charges an enrollment fee to the private sector. If the provider charges the private sector more than the maximum benefit and will not accept the maximum DCF payment benefit as full payment, the client will be responsible to pay the difference. DCF will subsidize no more than the maximum in a 12-month period. If client chooses to change providers within a 12-month period, the client will be responsible to pay the additional enrollment fee, if necessary. The 12-month period begins with the month for which a benefit for enrollment fees is authorized and may be different for each child on a child care case. The 12-month period does not follow the child if they move to a different child care household, and a new enrollment fee could be authorized on the new case. A membership fee to an organization which entitles the member to other benefits in addition to child care shall not be considered an enrollment fee. Clients should request this type of payment from DCF.

Transportation Fees - Transportation fees for child care shall not be subsidized by DCF. If the provider charges the private sector for transportation, DCF clients may also be charged.

Enhanced Rate for Special Care - Parents of children with a physical, emotional, or mental disability may request an enhanced benefit rate for child care services. Approval from regional child care provider enrollment staff is necessary to authorize the enhanced rate. Enhanced rates are available to children in all subtypes of child care and should be based upon the individual needs of the child (the child's condition may not require additional accommodation or an enhanced child care rate). The parent's eligibility for a specific child care subtype should determine which subtype is used. Examples may include:

A child with multiple casts or a body cast who cannot participate in regular activities; or A child who requires injections for a specific diagnosis or condition; or This rate is available for children who have been identified by a physician, therapist, social worker, early childhood or special education specialist, or public health nurse as having one or more disabilities such as: A developmental delay; A mild, moderate, or severe handicap; A visual, language, or hearing impairment; or A history of social/emotional problems resulting in expulsion from multiple care situations.

Documentation of the child's disability must be provided by a party other than the care provider. Additional information must be provided by the care provider indicating the type of enhanced child care being provided to the child and what type of education or training the provider possesses in order to provide the care.

The need for a new Request for Enhanced Rate for Special Care form 1627a at review will depend on information listed on the current 1627a regarding the duration of the child’s condition that requires enhanced care from the child care provider. The caseworker will need to check the 1627a at review and at times in which the Guaranteed Eligibility Period is extended, and if the 1627a and supporting documentation indicates that the condition is permanent, it will not be necessary to repeat the form and documentation, unless there is a change in providers.

Short-term conditions requiring an Enhanced Rate should be time limited and reviewed within 90 days. NOTE: See KEES user manual for the Child Care Enhanced Rate for Special Care Process.

Differential Payments - Direct payments, as determined by the agency, may be made to child care providers. These payments are tied to specific children, focusing on high need areas and vulnerable populations. Payments are issued monthly, directly to child care providers in the month following the month service is provided. It is possible that not all subsidy eligible children served by a provider will meet the specific criteria determined by the agency to qualify for these payments. Providers will receive a notice telling them which children they are receiving payment for, and how much is attributed to each child. These payments may not be requested by either a family receiving child care assistance or a child care provider, and are based on information available in the KEES eligibility system. Payments are not in any way guaranteed, and may be discontinued at any time at the discretion of the agency, based on selected criteria or on available funding.

10270 Payments for In-Home Relative Child Care - DCF pays a standard rate for in-home child care regardless of county of residence. This rate is $2.42/hour for the State. The provider shall not be a member of the child care case or physical household.