ELRC-21-10: Non-Traditional Care Add-on Rates

ELRC-21-10

Non-Traditional Care Add-on Rates

To:

All Regulated Child Care Providers;
Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs); and
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Early Learning Resource Center Program Representatives

From:

Tracey Campanini,
Deputy Secretary, Office of Child Development & Early Learning

Issue Date: Nov. 29, 2021
Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2022
End Date: TBD

Purpose

To announce that DHS certified child care providers who provide care to children receiving Child Care Works (CCW) during non-traditional hours will be eligible for a non- traditional care add-on rate effective Jan. 1, 2022.

Background

On Oct. 18, 2021, the Wolf Administration announced changes to Child Care Works (CCW), Pennsylvania’s subsidized child care program, that will decrease costs to families who qualify for subsidized care and add incentives for child care providers to participate in the program.

Pennsylvania received more than $1 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support the commonwealth’s child care industry, child care providers, and the children and families that rely on this system. Beginning January 1, 2022, $352 million in Child Care Development Fund federal ARPA funding will also support:

Lower maximum copayments for families eligible for CCW
Increased base rates for providers participating in CCW
Rate incentives for providers that offer child care during non-traditional hours

Prior to the pandemic, the Keystone Command Center for Economic Development and Workforce recommended expanding availability of DHS certified child care before 6 a.m. and after 6 p.m. – what is normally considered “traditional” child care hours –to give flexibility and security for working parents. These rate incentives will support providers that offer care outside of traditional hours, giving parents a safe place for their children and the security necessary to help parents return to work.

Discussion

General

Beginning Jan 1, 2022, DHS certified child care providers that provide care to children receiving CCW for at least two hours during the hours of 6:00pm and 6:00am on weekdays or any amount of time on weekends will receive a non-traditional care add-on rate. The non-traditional care add-on only applies to the days that the non-traditional care takes place and not to any days that the child only receives care during typical hours. The add-on rate will be 25 percent above the established subsidy base rate for each CCW child served during non-traditional hours. Keystone STAR designation does not impact this add-on.

Next Steps

Child care programs

a. DHS Certified child care providers who care for CCW children during non- traditional hours will receive a 25 percent add-on rate beginning Jan. 1, 2022.

b. Direct any questions to your ELRC.

2. ELRCs

a. Review and share with appropriate

b. Direct any questions to your program

View Announcement as PDF.