equal-access-payment-rates

Reason(s) for non-compliance: • The Lead Agency did not use a market rate survey or ACF pre-approved Alternative Methodology to set payment rates and does not certify that the percentiles reported in their CCDF Plan are based on their most recent MRS or ACF pre-approved Alternative Methodology, as required by 98.45(d)(1) and 98.45(f)(2)(i). (Plan Questions 4.2.1ei, 4.2.1eii, 4.2.1eiii, 4.2.1eiv, and 4.3.2b) • The Lead Agency has not yet completed the narrow cost analysis or estimated cost of care, as required by 98.45(f)(1)(ii). (Plan Questions 4.2.2a, 4.2.2b, 4.2.2c, and 4.2.2d) • The Lead Agency’s payment rates for infants in family child care homes, preschoolers in family child care homes, preschoolers in center-based care, and infants in center- based care are not sufficient to ensure equal access as they are not based on the most recent MRS, as required by 98.45(a). (Plan Question 4.3.2a) Overall Target Completion Date: 09/30/2026 Action Step Number Action Step Description Target Completion Date 1 Finalize and post 2024 MRS on website and begin narrow cost analysis 03/01/2025 2 Message to stakeholders 03/01/2025 3 Public comment period for amendment 03/31/2025 4 Plan amendment to 4.2 to include updated final report information 04/30/2025 5 Stakeholder engagement 06/30/2026 6 Message to stakeholders 06/30/2026 7 Complete narrow cost analysis 06/30/2026 8 Update payment rates based on 2024 MRS 07/31/2026 9 Public comment period for amendment 07/31/2026 10 Plan amendment to 4.2 and 4.3. 09/30/2026