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7 Section 1: Overview ACCESSNebraska Referral The parent/caregiver must refer their selected child care provider to ACCESSNebraska. If you have identified a subsidy-eligible family for which you would like to provide care and you are ready to begin the subsidy process, ask them to contact ACCESSNebraska to share your information as their provider. To learn more, visit: dhhs.ne.gov/pages/ accessnebraska.aspx. Becoming a Child Care Subsidy Provider To start the process of becoming a child care subsidy provider*, you must complete the following (see Appendix on page 42 for forms): 1. Background checks, including FBI fingerprint checks. Local, state and federal background checks must be completed for all providers and staff. For providers who care for children in their homes, background checks must be completed for all household members age 13 and older (see page 26 for details). 2. Child Care Provider Subsidy Enrollment (CC-9B). The provider and their assigned RD will complete and sign the CC-9B before child care services can be provided. This document is a formal agreement of rates and policies. 3. Health and safety training Providers are required to complete Pediatric First Aid/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification and Prepare to Care, Nebraska’s free, online, pre-service orientation training. *Note: License-exempt and in-home providers who are solely caring for children related to them (meeting the relative definition) may be exempt from some of these requirements. 4. Home or facility visit All providers must agree to a thorough walk-through of the home or facility where care will be provided. This walk-through will include a detailed inspection of the entire premises, including outdoor play areas. PREPARE TO CARE To complete this training, visit: canvas.education.ne.gov/browse/ earlychildhood/courses/prepare- to-care Failure to comply with licensing requirements will result in the department denying or recouping subsidy payments for the period in which the provider was non-compliant. License-Exempt + In-Home Providers Providers who care for a smaller number of children, in the home of the child or in the home of the provider, can be approved as subsidy providers without becoming licensed. These providers are sometimes referred to as family, friend and neighbor providers. License-exempt and in-home providers may only provide child care for up to three children from different families, or six children from the same family. They are also monitored by the Child Care Subsidy Program, which is part of DHHS Division of Children and Family Services. Relative providers*, defined as grandparent(s), great grandparent(s), step-grandparent(s), sibling(s) or step- sibling(s), aunt(s) and uncle(s), may be exempt from some of the requirements of being a subsidy provider. *Note: If applying as a relative, a Relative Exempt Request form must be submitted and approved. Proof of relationship may be requested. Additional requirements: • CC-0351: License-Exempt Family Child Care Home Self-Certification Checklist • CC-0350: In-Home Child Care Self-Certification Checklist Resource Developer (RD) All providers will be assigned an RD who will complete initial and annual enrollment, monitor their health and safety standards and complete required inspections. Parent/Caregiver Obligations Most families receiving subsidized child care services do so to pursue or maintain employment or to seek educational or occupational training. The families you serve have certain obligations and must meet specific guidelines to maintain eligibility for subsidy benefits. A parent/caregiver seeking subsidized child care must apply for services from DHHS and be deemed eligible to receive payment for child care. If the parent/ caregiver earns above a certain income level, they are responsible to pay part of the child care cost as a family fee. The parent/caregiver must pay their part of the monthly child care cost to remain eligible for financial assistance through the state’s Child Care Subsidy Program.