Section 7.41.025. Program rates.

	(a)  For purposes of calculating a family's program benefits under 7 AAC 41.345, the program rate for each category of care authorized for a child is established in the department's Child Care Assistance Program Rate Schedule, revised as of November 23, 2009, and adopted by reference. The rates in the schedule are set out by type of facility licensed under 7 AAC 57 or approved under this chapter, category of care, and political subdivision or geographic area.  
	(b)  The categories of care differentiate by age group of the child and by whether the care is provided on an enrollment or an attendance basis. The categories of care include  
		(1) preschool age child, school age child, infant, and toddler, as those terms are defined in the schedule for purposes of the schedule;  
		(2) full-time and part-time monthly enrollment; and  
		(3) full-day, partial-day, and hourly attendance.  
	(c)  The program rates in the schedule are based on the following standards:  
		(1) to ensure that eligible families have equal access to child care  services comparable to child care provided to families that are not eligible to participate in the program; if the full range of providers is available in a community, a choice of the full range of providers is available to eligible families; in this paragraph, "full range of providers" includes a child care center, child care home, child care group home, and in-home child care; and  
		(2) to ensure that program rates are adequate, as follows:  
			(A) rates are based on availability of appropriations and on market conditions, using information obtained by the department through a market rate survey of child care providers in the state;  
			(B) for a political subdivision or geographic area, rates are a percentile, up to the 75th percentile, of the rates of a representative sample of child care providers in that political subdivision or geographic area or in a similar one; and  
			(C) for a political subdivision or geographic area, rates may be adjusted by the department to  
				(i) expand capacity for child care;  
				(ii) address factors indicating a shortage of available care, such as care for infants, children with disabilities or with special needs as described in 7 AAC 57.940, or children of parents who work during nontraditional hours; and  
				(iii) address market imperfections, including situations in which the market rate is below the actual cost of care.  
	(d)  The maximum payment for a child during a month is equal to the full-time monthly enrollment rate plus the part-time monthly enrollment rate for the category of care and the type of facility where care is provided. If the child uses two types of facilities, the rate for the facility the child is in for the most time applies.  
	(e)  A child with special needs as described in 7 AAC 57.940 who is under 13 years of age may qualify for a supplemental program rate as determined by the department. In a child care authorization, the department will or a designee may authorize a supplement to program rates under this subsection only if  
		(1) the child's special needs are documented by a health professional; and  
		(2) the provider establishes, in consultation with the child care resource and referral agency assisting the family, on a form prescribed by the department, that the child requires additional services due to the child's special needs, and that those services have an additional cost; in this paragraph, "child care resource and referral agency" means an entity that  
			(A) assists families in finding child care;  
			(B) works to  
				(i) improve the quality of child care; and  
				(ii) increase the availability of child care; and  
			(C) assists in child care planning for the agency's service area.  
	(f)  If child care is provided in the child's own home, the program rate for an approved in-home child care provider is the rate for an approved provider shown on the department's schedule set under this section.  
	(g)  The total eligible cost of care for a family choosing in-home child care is limited to a monthly maximum that is equal to two times the minimum hourly wage established under AS 23.10.065, multiplied by 210.  

Authorities

47.25.001;47.25.041

Notes

Reference

7 AAC 41.030
7 AAC 41.035
7 AAC 41.040
7 AAC 41.050
7 AAC 41.330
7 AAC 41.370
7 AAC 41.990
7 AAC 45.258

Authority

AS 47.25.001 AS 47.25.041 Editor's note: A copy of the Child Care Assistance Program Rate Schedule, adopted by reference in 7 AAC 41.025, is available from the Child Care Program Office, Department of Health and Social Services, 619 E. Ship Creek Avenue, Suite 230, Anchorage, Alaska 99501-1677.

History

Eff. 6/23/2006, Register 178; am 8/31/2008, Register 187; am 2/31/2010, Register 193

References

7.41.025