The Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program helps families pay for child care and registration fees. Initially, families may qualify if they are working, attending school, receiving cash assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families – TANF), on medical leave from employment or school, or participating in certain programs with Child Welfare.
ERDC is a subsidy program. This means families may still pay part of the child care cost. This is called a copay. The monthly copay is based on family size and income. ERDC also works with partners across the state to help families find and keep child care.
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is proposing changes to five rules to clean up language and ensure that the language is easy to read and understand. This includes updating provider rates, adding policy regarding Every Child Belongs (ECB) for providers and updating the requirement to allow providers to store controlled substances under a child safety device or lock.
414-175-0035; Specific Financial Requirements
Rule is being updated to clarify that earned shelter-in-kind income is counted as earned income for ERDC.
414-175-0040; Prospective Eligibility and Budgeting
Rule is being updated to remove some unnecessary words.
414-175-0075; Child Care Provider Eligibility Standards Payments Rates, Payment Limits, and Payable Hours
Rule is being updated to reflect new provider rates negotiated with both child care unions.
414-175-0080; Eligibility of Child Care Providers
Rule is being updated to add a requirement for providers to Contact Every Child Belongs (ECB) when a young child is facing potential expulsion. Rule is also being updated to clarify that controlled substances on site must be stored under a child safety lock or device or in a locked room.
414-175-0085; Direct Provider Payments
Rule is being updated to change listed to approved to align with ELMS terminology and to clarify that the IRS identification number must be for the business and not an individual