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5 Section 1: Overview About the Handbook The Child Care Subsidy Handbook is a resource for individuals who provide child care to families receiving support from DHHS through the Child Care Subsidy Program. This handbook will: • Help you to understand changes in child care subsidy regulations. • Define child care subsidy program standards. • Provide definitions of important terms. • Clarify how families qualify for subsidy child care. • Outline the provider approval process, as well as authorization and billing processes. • Provide links to important forms and examples of how to fill them out. MORE INFORMATION This handbook provides general guidance and is not comprehensive. To find detailed information about the Child Care Subsidy Program, visit: dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Child-Care- Subsidy.aspx CHILD CARE SUBSIDY PROGRAM The Child Care Subsidy Program within the DHHS Division of Children and Family Services: • Provides oversight of subsidy regulations within Title 392 Nebraska Administrative Code (NAC). • Determines eligibility and creates child care authorizations for subsidy-eligible families. • Manages subsidy enrollment for licensed child care providers and monitors license-exempt child care providers. • Oversees quality initiatives across the state. The Child Care Subsidy Program provides eligible families with economic assistance for child care services to support employment, training, education and/or other approved needs. Parents/ caregivers with children age 12 and younger may apply for benefits. Children ages 12-18 may be eligible with verified special needs. As a child care provider, you are essential to our service delivery system! Child Care Licensing vs Child Care Subsidy All licensed and license-exempt/in-home providers who participate in the Child Care Subsidy Program will have their subsidy enrollment maintained by the Child Care Subsidy Program. While providers are not required to be licensed for the subsidy program, only licensed providers enrolled in the program are eligible for: • Higher subsidy reimbursement rates. • Step Up to Quality participation. • Child care subsidy grants. All subsidy questions should be directed to your assigned resource developer (RD). Licensing questions should be directed to the child care inspection specialist (CCIS).