4.1 Access to Full Range of Provider Options

Lead Agencies must provide parents a choice of providers and offer assistance with child care services through a child care certificate (or voucher) or with a child care provider that has a grant or contract for the provision of child care services. Lead Agencies are reminded that policies and procedures should not restrict parental access to any type or category of care or provider (e.g., center care, home care, in-home care, for-profit provider, non-profit provider, or faith-based provider, etc.). 4.1.1 Parent choice a. Identify any barriers to provider participation, including barriers related to payment rates and practices, (including for family child care and in-home providers), based on provider feedback, public comment, and reports to the Lead Agency: The most significant reported barrier is the administrative time and paperwork burden it takes for a provider to validate/verify the attendance of enrolled children who receive a child care scholarship. Providers also report that payment timeliness has influenced their decision to continue or not participate in service children receiving a child care scholarship. b. Does the Lead Agency offer child care assistance through vouchers or certificates? [x] Yes. [ ] No. c. Does the Lead Agency offer child care assistance through grants or contracts? [x] Yes. [ ] No. d. Describe how the parent is informed that the child care certificate allows the option to choose from a variety of child care categories, such as private, not-for-profit, faith-based providers; centers; family child care homes; or in-home providers: Information regarding provider choice is offered to parents in the application, Frequently Asked Questions, and in enrollment packets. Parents are informed of the variety of child care options available during the intake application process. This information is also available through various consumer education websites including: nevadachildcare.org, childcarelv.org, first5nevada.org, and childrenscabinet.org. e. Describe what information is included on the child care certificate: Issuance date, provider name, provider ID, provider location; child name, child dob, child id; parent name, parent id, parent phone number; dates of eligibility, schedule and schedule notes, case manager name and phone number; provider rate, parent copay amount, signatures for parent (if issued in person) and the Child Care Case Manager.