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60 Rule 8.5 Parent Compliance

Parents and providers receiving CCDF subsidy are expected to follow MDHS policies and the policies and procedures of the child care provider where their child is enrolled as outlined in the child care provider’s parent handbook. Failure to follow MDHS policies will result in action being taken by MDHS as necessary. Non-compliance with child care provider policy/parent handbook must be resolved between the parent and child care provider. MDHS will not intervene in policies outside of those established by the Child Care Payment Program (CCPP) Policy Manual.

Source: 45 CFR 98.40; Miss. Code Ann. § 43-1-2(4); Miss. Code Ann. § 43-1-4 Revised: August 2025

Rule 8.6 Allowable Leave Time for Parents

Child care will be paid based on the child’s enrollment with a provider. Excessive absences from care may result in changes or termination of the child care certificate. Providers must maintain and report accurate child attendance for monitoring purposes. Payments issued by MDHS to child care providers for care that cannot be supported by sign in/out sheet documentation shall be recouped by MDHS.

Excessive absences are classified as a period when a child is absent from the child care program indicated on their certificate for sixty (60) consecutive calendar days or more without contact with the child care provider. MDHS shall terminate child care certificates for children with excessive absences, even if fewer than twelve (12) months of eligibility have been received. Providers shall report a child absence with the correct absence code in the monthly ledger. Failure to accurately report child absence by either the parent or child care provider will be considered a violation of MDHS policy.

Exceptions to the Excessive Absence Rule:

Temporary Long-Term Absences may be granted for special circumstances such as chronic illness of the child, custody situation that requires the child to spend extended time with a non-custodial parent, or a temporary move out of state. Requests should be made in writing to MDHS if absences exceed sixty (60) consecutive days and will be granted on a case-by- case basis. If granted, the certificate will continue to remain active, regardless of attendance, but the child care provider will only be paid for five (5) days of absence per month. The child care provider has the option to disenroll the child from his or her child care center.

Parents may voluntarily withdraw their child from the CCPP should the family relocate out of the state of Mississippi. If a child is absent for sixty (60) consecutive days without the parent and child care provider submitting notification to MDHS,MDHS will consider this as a voluntary withdrawal from CCPP. The child’s certificate will be terminated, and the family will be withdrawn from CCPP.

Source: 45 CFR 98.40; Miss. Code Ann. § 43-1-2(4); Miss. Code Ann. § 43-1-4 Revised: August 2025