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59 Child care providers must agree to retain all books, records, and other documents relating to expenditures, services rendered, attendance or individuals served for three (3) years from the date of service. If an audit or investigation is pending at the end of the three-year period, information shall be retained until resolution of the audit, investigation, or any issues, disputes or appeals raised by or resulting from the audit or investigation. Any person authorized by MDHS will have full access to these records during this period.

Attendance records must be reconciled with the attendance of children as reported on monthly ledger submissions. If attendance records do not meet all of the requirements listed above, MDHS will consider the payment in question to be improper payment and subject to recoupment from the provider by MDHS.

Source: 45 CFR 98.45; Miss. Code Ann. § 43-1-2(4); Miss. Code Ann. § 43-1-4 Revised: August 2025

Rule 8.4 Parent Choice of Provider

Parent choice is a fundamental tenet of the CCDF program. Parents are free to choose any provider that has been previously approved to participate in the CCPP. The selected provider is listed on the certificate after the child has been approved for program participation.

Parents may change child care providers for any reason but must follow the procedure outlined below:

1. Submit a Change in Provider request to MDHS via the https://www.apps.mdhs.ms.gov/ccis/NewApplication/AppStartPage.aspx.

2. Ensure that all outstanding co-pay fees are paid to the current provider.

3. Provide a minimum two (2) week notice to the current provider prior to withdrawing the child, unless under emergency circumstances, for which a parent may make a written request to DECCD explaining the emergency circumstance for transfer or withdrawal. Examples of emergency circumstances include, but are not limited to:

a. Physical Altercation between the Parent and Staff Member (including Director). If an issue arises at the child care center between the parent and staff member (including director) of the child care center resulting in police involvement, a transfer may be requested. The DECCD Director may also contact the child care provider to obtain additional evidence and will weigh all evidence.

b. Injury of a Child: If an issue arises at the child care center resulting in an injury of any child enrolled in the center such as neglect, lack of supervision, or physical harm, a transfer may be requested.

If emergency circumstances are established, the DECCD Director will decide as to whether outstanding fees must be paid prior to authorizing the transfer or withdrawal.

Source: 45 CFR 98.30; Miss. Code Ann. § 43-1-2(4); Miss. Code Ann. § 43-1-4 Revised: August 2025