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Amendment - Temporary COVID-19 Policy/Procedure - 4.1.5: Child care subsidy regulations for in-home child care (care provided in the home of the child) were suspended by Executive Order 20-18, April 15, 2020 to permit families who are eligible to participate in the child care subsidy program to obtain in-home child care when other child care options are unavailable. Eligible families may receive services and are not required to have a child with special needs in the family. The in-home provider may be an individual who lives with the child in the home if the child has a special need or childhood illness. The amendment is in effect until 30 days after the state of emergency ends. At that time, the child care subsidy regulations for in-home care return to normal operations.

Restricted to in-home providers that meet additional health and safety requirements beyond those required by CCDF. Describe:

Other. Describe:

4.2 Assessing Market Rates and Child Care Costs

Lead Agencies have the option to conduct a statistically valid and reliable (1) market rate survey (MRS) reflecting variations in the price to parents of child care services by geographic area, type of provider, and age of child and/or (2) an alternative methodology, such as a cost estimation model (658E(c)(4)(B)). A cost estimation model estimates the cost of care by incorporating both data and assumptions to model what expected costs would be incurred by child care providers and parents under different cost scenarios. Another approach would be a cost study that collects cost data at the facility or program level to measure the costs (or inputs used) to deliver child care services. The MRS or alternative methodology must be developed and conducted no earlier than 2 years before the date of submission of the Plan.

Note - Any Lead Agency considering using an alternative methodology, instead of a market rate survey, is required to submit a description of its proposed approach to its ACF Regional Child Care Program Office for pre-approval in advance of the Plan submittal (see https://www.acf.hhs.gov/occ/resource/ccdf-acf-pi-2016-08). Advance approval is not required if Nebraska Page 110 of 314