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: Provider feedback indicates the main barriers include low payment rates, too much paperwork, issues with the EBT technology and continually having to remind parents to swipe attendance. 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? [ ] Yes. [x] 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: At the initial interview, parents are advised of the Child Care Locator which is an online tool that allows the parent to input desired child care criteria to return a search result of licensed/contracted facilities. The parent is also given information on how to contact Oklahoma Child Care Resource and Referral for a searchable database, information on all programs including program characteristics and elements of quality licensed programs that contract to receive subsidy payment through the Lead Agency. e. Describe what information is included on the child care certificate: The certificate includes the name of the provider, names of the children authorized for care, the beginning date of the authorizations, the amount of care authorized, and the amount of the copayment.