To:
From:
Shante’ Brown,
Deputy Secretary, Office of Child Development & Early Learning
Issue Date: February 21, 2023
Effective Date: March 1, 2023
End Date: N/A
To announce an increase to base rates paid by DHS to certified child care providers participating in Child Care Works (CCW). Base payment rates are also known as the Maximum Child Care Allowance (MCCA).
This Announcement replaces ELRC Announcement 21 #11 Increase to Child Care Works Base Payment Rates.
The 2019 Market Rate Survey (MRS) revealed that Pennsylvania’s subsidy rates hovered around the 25th percentile. In response, subsidy base rates were regionalized and increased to the 40th percentile floor in March 2021.
Base subsidy rates were increased to the 60th percentile floor in January 2022.
Results of the 2022 MRS indicate that the increased costs associated with COVID to operate a child care program and 40 – year high inflation caused percentile ranks to decrease significantly.
The 2022 MRS will be released in February 2023. In response, subsidy base rates will be increased to maintain the 60th percentile floor effective March 1, 2023.