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: In the most recent Market Rate Survey (conducted fall 2023) providers have expressed satisfaction with the state policy shift to enrollment-based payment, yet they identify the challenges and impact of delays in processing family applications for CCAP participation. Additionally, they identify some challenges when contacting the Department of Education. Despite CCAP maximum rates aligning with market rates, families struggle with increased charged rates, leading to substantial unpaid balances. Common challenges for providers related to operating their sites continue to include problems related to staffing, budgeting, and enrollment. 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? [x] Yes. [ ] 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: A variety of providers are available to families, including private child care centers (Type III early learning centers), not-for-profit centers, faith-based providers, school-based child care centers, family child care providers, in-home providers, and military child care centers (though there are no military child care centers in Louisiana currently). Parents may access the Louisiana School and Center Finder site (www.louisianaschools.com) to find eligible CCDF providers. Parents are sent a ￿Notice of Certification and Payments￿ once their case is determined eligible, which also notifies the family of freedom of parental choice of child care providers, as long as the chosen provider meets licensing and registration requirements. e. Describe what information is included on the child care certificate: The child care certificate states that ￿Under federal law, freedom of parental choice of child care providers is guaranteed, as long as the chosen provider meets certain licensing or registration requirements. Your provider may be a Type III provider, a Family Child Care Home Provider, an In-Home Provider (in the child's home), or a School Child Care Program. Regardless of the type of provider chosen, approval for this provider by the Department of Education does not imply any endorsement or recommendation of the provider.￿