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Child Care Assistance Program Policy Manual Issued 05/2023 Higher rates for providers serving certain populations

9.15.16 Higher rates for providers caring for children in at-risk populations Your agency may choose to pay higher rates for certain populations defined as at-risk in your County and Tribal Child Care Fund Plan. The CCAP agency must have DHS approval for these rates to be paid. At-risk means environmental or familial factors exist that create barriers to a child’s optimal achievement. This could include, but is not limited to: • A federal or state disaster. • Limited English proficiency in a family. • History of abuse or neglect. • A determination that the children are at risk of abuse or neglect. • Family Violence. • Homelessness. • Age of the mother. • Level of maternal education. • Mental illness. • Development disability. • Parental chemical dependency or history of other substance use. If your agency has chosen to pay higher rates to certain populations defined as at-risk in your County and Tribal Child Care Fund Plan: • If there are four or more providers offering child care for children in a specific at-risk category, pay the lesser of the 75% rate, the rate negotiated with the provider by the county or tribe, or the provider’s rate. • If there are fewer than four such providers, pay the lesser of the rate negotiated with the provider or the provider’s rate. Higher rates for care of sick children Your agency may choose to pay higher rates for sick child care that exceed the county maximum rate. The CCAP agency must have DHS approval for these rates to be paid. If your agency has chosen to pay higher rates that exceed the county maximum rate for sick child care in your County and Tribal Child Care Fund Plan, sick child care payments must be a rate comparable to like care arrangements in your county. Your agency may complete a survey of all providers who care for sick children in the county to determine the appropriate rate. Legal authority Minnesota Rules 3400.0130, Subpart 3