equal-access-affordability

Reason(s) for non-compliance: • The Lead Agency does not limit all family co-payments to seven percent or less of family income, as required by 98.45(l)(3). (Plan Question 3.1.1a). Please note the Lead Agency has an approved waiver for this requirement through December 31, 2025. • The Lead Agency does not include the rationale for the policy to allow providers to charge families additional amounts above the required co-payment, including required data and a demonstration of how the policy promotes affordability and access for families, as required by 98.45(b)(5). (Plan Questions 3.1.2ei and 3.1.2eii) Overall Target Completion Date: 12/31/2025 Action Step Number Action Step Description Target Completion Date 1 The lead agency will identify policy questions and technical assistance requests. These will be sent to our federal partners. 02/28/2025 2 The lead agency will consult with our federal partners and receive assistance with policy questions and any identified technical assistance. 05/31/2025 3 The lead agency will evaluate whether subsidy policy revisions are required. If needed, the Montana Administrative Procedure Act (MAPA) must be followed. The lead agency will implement programming into the new computer database, Montana Acquired Quality Childcare System (MAQCS). 09/30/2025 4 The lead agency will train scholarship contractors on the policy revisions and MAQCS programming. The lead agency will develop consumer education on the policy revisions. 10/31/2025 5 With MAQCS online, the lead agency will evaluate if additional training for scholarship contractors is needed. The lead agency will make consumer education available. 12/31/2025