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Use an alternative approach for which the Lead Agency provides a

justification in its Plan. If chosen, please describe the policy or procedure and the Lead Agency's justification for this approach.

c) The Lead Agency's payment practices reflect generally accepted payment practices of child care providers who serve children who do not receive CCDF subsidies. These payment practices must include the following two practices unless the Lead Agency provides evidence that such practices are not generally accepted in its state (658E(c)(2)(S); 98.45(l)(3)).

i. Paying on a part-time or full-time basis (rather than paying for hours of service or smaller increments of time). Describe the policy or procedure and include a definition of the time increments (e.g., part time, full-time). The Lead Agency pays a day rate for 6 or more hours, up through the 9th hour of care. For the 10th hour and beyond, the provider bills a day unit and an hour unit for each hour over. Part day units are calculated hourly and bill as such. UPDATE: The Lead Agency is working on switching billing units from hours and days to half day full day. The MRS contractor is working on converting new units to rates from the 2019 MRS. The Department anticipates this change to occur prior to 9/30/20.

ii. Paying for reasonable mandatory registration fees that the provider charges to private-paying parents. Describe the policy or procedure. The Lead Agency will pay a set amount toward enrollment fees and activity fees to child care centers who also charge their private paying families. The Lead Agency will pay $25 or less if the center charges private pay families less than $25. Enrollment is a one time payment per provider. The Lead Agency will also pay up to $25 a month for June, July and August for activities. The provider must provide a calendar of events and charge private pay families an activity fee.

d) The Lead Agency ensures that providers are paid in accordance with a written payment agreement or an authorization for services that includes, at a minimum, Nebraska Page 126 of 314