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quality, and staffing requirements and (2) higher quality care, as defined by the Lead Agency using a quality rating and improvement system or other system of quality indicators, at each level of quality. For States without a QRIS, the States may use other quality indicators (e.g. provider status related to accreditation, pre-K standards, Head Start performance standards, or State defined quality measures.) Effective Date: 09/10/2019

Describe how the Lead Agency made the results of the market rate survey or alternative methodology report widely available to the public (98.45(f)(1)). by responding to the questions below.

a) Date of completion of the market rate survey or alternative methodology (must be no earlier than July 1, 2016, and no later than July 1, 2018). 08/15/2019

b) Date the report containing results was made widely available - no later than 30 days after the completion of the report. 08/30/2019 c) Describe how the Lead Agency made the detailed report containing results widely available and provide the link where the report is posted. The MRS was placed on the Lead Agency's website. Website:

http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Market-Rate-Survey.aspx

d) Describe how the Lead Agency considered stakeholder views and comments in the detailed report. Throughout the development of the MRS report and analysis of data, stakeholders, including senators and policy makers provided input and feedback to the Lead Agency and the BECI, who conducted the MRS. The report does include provider reported barriers to the CCDF/Subsidy program.

4.3 Setting Payment Rates

The Lead Agency must set CCDF subsidy payment rates, in accordance with the results of the current MRS or alternative methodology, at a level to ensure equal access for eligible families to child care services that are comparable with those provided to families not receiving CCDF funds. The Lead Agency must re-evaluate its payment rates at least every 3 years. Nebraska Page 115 of 314