Page 73

Child Care Subsidy Policy October 1, 2024 66 CHAPTER 7: PURCHASE OF CHILD CARE THROUGH CERTIFICATES 7.0. Overview. West Virginia’s subsidized child care program is a certificate system. Certificates authorize payment to parents in lieu of cash. Providers are paid directly upon receipt of an invoice called a request for payment. This system provides maximum opportunity for parental choice. 7.1. Parental Choice When a family is determined to be eligible for child care services, a Provider Notification Letter (DAY-0613) or a Child Care Certificate (DAY-0176) is issued from PATH to the parent. This certificate serves as proof that the Department of Human Resources will be responsible for payment and contains pertinent information about the family and the amount of the fee to be paid by the parent. The parent shall use the certificate to purchase care from a child care provider of choice. In all cases of parent-selected unregulated care, before issuing the Certificate or Notification of Eligibility, the CCR&R case manager shall search PATH to determine if the potential provider has been previously denied or terminated as a provider. If the denial or revocation notes that the provider is ineligible to participate in the subsidy system because they are unable to meet regulatory requirements, the parent shall be informed that the provider will not be approved. She/he may select a different provider. After a family has been determined eligible for child care services, a parent may choose to purchase care from a provider other than the one previously selected. The parent must request a change of provider by notifying the CCR&R within 5 days of the change. Upon receipt of the request, the CCR&R case manager will process the request, ensuring the requested provider is eligible to participate in the subsidy system. 7.1.1. Expulsion The CCR&R case manager will ascertain the reason for the parent’s request for change. If the parent indicates the child was expelled from or “kicked out” of day care, the CCR&R case manager will ask the parent if written notice of the expulsion was received and when. (two week notice is required) The CCR&R Case Manager will notify the Division of Early Care and Education if proper notice was not provided. 7.1.2. In-Home Child Care. Care may be provided in the child’s home, only in specific circumstances and only with the approval of the CCR&R case manager. In-home child care is home-based care provided by relatives, a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling of legal age, the provider may not live either inside or outside in close proximity of the home. The provider of in-home child care cannot care for children that do not live in the home. If the provider and children reside in the same home and the provider wishes to care for other children, then the situation is not considered in-home care and the provider must meet registration requirements based on the number of children in care. 7.1.2.1 Regulation of In-Home Child Care