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: Barriers identified in Maine to provider participation are in regards to the processes for vendor codes that do not enable a provider to be reimbursed until one is established or if an update is needed. Similar is true for establishing direct deposits for provider reimbursement. 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 child care certificate (award letter) states: To access Maine child care providers’ information, please call (888) 900-0055 or visit: www.earlycaremaine.org To access the Child Care Affordability Program website, please visit: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/support-for-families/child-care/paying-for-child-care The site earlycaremaine.org takes parents and families to a landing page where they can look for child care on Child Care Choices and learn about child care options, as well as learning about the quality rating and improvement system, Rising Stars for ME. e. Describe what information is included on the child care certificate: The Lead Agency includes on the Parent Award Letter, the following is included, the award start and end dates, the parent fee amount, the names of the children the award is for the Child Care Provider’s name, authorized hours, and all consumer statement information.