Page 329

Child Care Assistance Program Policy Manual Issued 05/2023 Higher rates for quality-accreditation/credential 9.24.9 Child care assistance can pay up to 15% above the standard maximum rate, not to exceed the provider charge, if a provider submits verification showing they hold a certain current early childhood development credential or is accredited by certain organizations. The Department of Human Services (DHS) recommends that agencies contact their policy specialist to determine whether the verification submitted is an exact match which makes the provider eligible for the higher rate. The department will review the actual documents and assist agencies to help prevent incorrect payments. Providers may use the Quality Differential Rate Request Form DHS-4795 (PDF) when requesting the higher rate. Approved credentials and accreditations for family child care providers A licensed family child care provider or legal nonlicensed provider is eligible for the 15% higher rate for quality if they hold one of the following early childhood development credentials or accreditations: • A Child Development Associate credential (CDA). • A diploma in child development from a Minnesota state technical college. • An associate’s degree in child development. • A bachelor’s degree or post-baccalaureate degree in early childhood education from an accredited college or university. • Accreditation by the National Association for Family Child Care. • Competency Based Training and Assessment Program Certificate. (This certificate has not been offered in Minnesota since 1997. If you get a copy of this certificate, contact DHS staff). Multiple license holders Each adult on a licensed family child care license must have one of the credentials listed above to get the 15% higher rate for quality. Other credentials Licensed family child care providers and legal nonlicensed providers that do not hold one of the above credentials are NOT eligible for the higher rate. Licensed family child care providers and legal nonlicensed providers that hold a credential other than the ones listed above are NOT eligible for the higher rate. Approved accreditations for center-based providers Child care centers that hold one of the accreditations below are eligible for the 15% higher rate for quality. Make sure the name of the accreditation and the listed organization match exactly as listed below before approving the higher rate: • Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment (APPLE) for Early Childhood Education or School Age Programs • American Montessori Society (AMS) School Accreditation