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: In fall 2021, Virginia conducted a large, statewide survey of providers not participating in the CCSP. Results from this survey indicated that most providers (56%) might be willing to participate in the CCSP in the future. The reasons providers indicated for not currently participating in CCSP were related to enrolling a sufficient number of private-paying families, having few families inquire about CCSP, and not knowing enough about CCSP. Over half of providers (54%) indicated that they may be more motivated to participate in CCSP if the subsidy reimbursement rates were to cover the true cost of care. Virginia conducted a follow up survey in the fall of 2023. Sites that do not participate in the CCSP (1,001 respondents) most frequently indicated the following reasons for not participating: ￿ Concerns that ongoing administrative duties, such as attendance tracking, would be too burdensome to be worth it (53%) ￿ Concerns that the reimbursement rate and copayments would not sufficiently cover my site’s costs (50%) ￿ Concerns that CCSP payments would be too unpredictable in timing and/or amount (48%) ￿ Concerns that the initial subsidy vendor application process would be too burdensome to be worth it (57%) Based on provider feedback, VDOE continues to look for opportunities to reduce administrative burdens associated with applying for and ongoing participation in the CCSP. For example, VDOE is procuring a new, modernized attendance tracking system for subsidy sites that will roll out in early 2025 and is continuously revising application procedures to minimize paperwork burdens and streamline processes for providers. VDOE also continues to prioritize funding the cost of quality and has increased reimbursement rates accordingly, using Virginia’s cost estimation model. 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: Families are advised at intake that they may choose any provider ("CCSP vendor￿ in Virginia) approved for program participation. Consumer education materials are provided on choosing child care. Families are made aware of the Department's website that includes a search tool where families can filter by program type, location, and current subsidy providers. Each provider has a profile on the state search tool which includes information on provider hours of operation, contact information, and results of their inspections. If the provider of choice is not currently approved for participation, the CCSP will work with them to become approved, if the provider elects to do so. Providers may apply to become a CCSP vendor at any time; applications are processed continuously on a rolling basis. e. Describe what information is included on the child care certificate: Virginia's certificates for child care services are called Purchase of Service Order (POSO) forms. The POSO includes: Name of the parent and the child; Child’s date of birth; Name, location, and type of provider (center or home); Amount of authorized care per week/month and whether full days or part days; Authorization ID number; Beginning and ending dates; Payment rate by age; Special needs rate, if applicable; Locality authorizing care; Co-payment amount, if any; and the Signatures of the caseworker and the locality signing officer. Copies of the POSO are issued to the parent and the provider selected by the parent.