• Has been revised to state that if the provider is the owner of the child care facility, they are not eligible for subsidized child care for their own child if that child will be cared for in the same facility. Previously the language stated that the owner, operator, and/or director of the child care facility is not eligible for the subsidized child care program, if there is space available to enroll their child(ren) in the provider’s facility;
• Has been revised to include provider must report if a staff member (parent/caretaker) is in the classroom with their children and/or if they provide care for their own children. Information must be reported within the same month to ensure billing is accurate to ensure an overpayment does not occur.

• Provider Agreement, Article III Conditions of the Agreement, (a) Payment Rates has been revised to state that the Maximum Child Care Allowance (MCCA) is based on region instead of county and to clarify that tiered reimbursement and the non-traditional care add-on rate will be added to the Converted Payment Rate (CPR) or MCCA, whichever is less, if the certified child care provider is eligible to receive it.
• Provider Agreement, Article III Conditions of the Agreement, (a) Payment Rates has been revised to state if the provider’s private pay rate is higher than the subsidy payment, the provider may charge the parent/caretaker the difference. Tiered reimbursement and the non-traditional care add-on rate are considered part of the subsidy payment amount and the provider cannot deduct this amount before determining the difference between the subsidy payment amount and their published rates if charging families the difference.
• Provider Agreement, Article III Conditions of the Agreement, (a) Payment Rates has been revised to add the provider will receive a registration fee for each new enrollment, in the amount determined by OCDEL, regardless of whether the provider charges private pay families a registration fee. If a provider does charge private pay families a registration fee, and the fee is greater than the amount OCDEL pays, providers cannot charge CCW families the difference.
• Provider Agreement, Article III Conditions of the Agreement, (a) Payment Rates has been revised to add the provider will refund or credit any private pay payments (minus the weekly copayments) families made prior to becoming eligible for CCW funding, retroactive to the CCW eligibility date.
• Provider Agreement, Article III Conditions of the Agreement, (c) Expulsion and Suspension has been revised to add a provider must contact the ELRC prior to suspending or expelling a CCW child.
• Provider Agreement, Article III Conditions of the Agreement, (d) Staff Professional Development has been added to require all staff must take professional development on Child Development annually, unless actively enrolled in an ECE/CD degree program. These types of trainings are available through the Professional Development Registry.
• Provider Agreement, Article III Conditions of the Agreement, (d) Staff Professional Development requires all Directors/Owners/Operators and staff who have a role in processing CCW payments must take professional development on Program Accountability and Integrity within 90 days hire.
• Provider Agreement, Article III Conditions of the Agreement, (d) Staff Professional Development requires Attestation I must be completed and submitted to the ELRC.

Both professional developments will be available through the Professional Development Registry which can be accessed at www.pakeys.org/get-professional-development/professional-development/

• Provider Agreement, Article III Conditions of the Agreement, (e) Requirements for Keeping Information added clarification that if using paper attendance logs, the parent/caretaker must sign in/out using their full first and last name or first initial and full last name (legibly). Relationship titles are not acceptable.

• Provider Agreement, Article IV Ending the Provider Agreement, (b) The ELRC may end this Agreement without advance notice and with concurrence from OCDEL if the provider is charging CCW families a registration fee or the difference between what the ELRC pays for a registration fee and the amount they charge their private pay families.
• Provider Agreement, Article IV Ending the Provider Agreement, (b) The ELRC may end this Agreement without advance notice and with concurrence from OCDEL if the provider submits invoices that do not align with attendance logs and family schedules.
• Provider Agreement, Article IV Ending the Provider Agreement, (d) The provider has the right to appeal the decision to terminate this agreement under 1 Pa. Code Chapter 35 was added.

• Provider Agreement, Article V Appendices has been updated to include Appendix I Attestation of Professional Development

• Appendix A – Rules for Participating in the Subsidized Child Care Program, C. Payment, 1. Types of Payment Rates has been updated to include non-traditional add-on rate. The add-on is 25% for all certified providers. Non-traditional care is defined as two or more hours of care provided weekdays between the hours of 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM or any amount of care provided on a Saturday and/or Sunday.

• Appendix A – Rules for Participating in the Subsidized Child Care Program, C. Payment, 2. Additional Fees has been updated to state providers will receive a registration fee for each new enrollment, in the amount determined by OCDEL, regardless of whether the provider charges private pay families a registration fee. Providers cannot charge CCW families the difference between the amount OCDEL pays for the registration fee and what they charge private pay families.
• Appendix A – Rules for Participating in the Subsidized Child Care Program, C. Payment, 2. Additional Fees has been updated to state tiered reimbursement and the non-traditional care add-on rate are considered part of the subsidy payment amount and the provider cannot deduct this amount before determining the difference between the subsidy payment amount and their published rates, if charging families the difference.
• Appendix A – Rules for Participating in the Subsidized Child Care Program, C. Payment, 3. Co-Payment has been revised to clarify that if the copayment delinquency is not reported to the ELRC timely, the ELRC cannot hold the parent/caretaker accountable, and the repayment of the delinquent copayment becomes an arrangement between the provider and parent/caretaker.
• Appendix A – Rules for Participating in the Subsidized Child Care Program, C. Payment, 4. Absences has been revised to clarify that the ELRC will pay for a maximum of five consecutive days of absence and the provider must report to the ELRC when the child returns to care after suspension.
• Appendix A – Rules for Participating in the Subsidized Child Care Program, C. Payment, 5. Changes to the CPR has been revised to state if a provider updates their private-pay rates, the provider must communicate those changes to families and provide verification of the updated child care provider’s private-pay rates to the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). The updated rate will become effective the first of the month following the date the verification was received by the ELRC.
• Appendix A – Rules for Participating in the Subsidized Child Care Program, C. Payment, 6. Verifying the Provider’s Reported Rate and its Relationship to the CPR has been updated to include the provider must refund or credit any private pay payments (minus the weekly copayments) families made prior to becoming eligible for CCW funding, retroactive to the CCW eligibility date.
• Appendix A – Rules for Participating in the Subsidized Child Care Program, C. Payment, 7.  Closed Days was updated to include PSS users that do not report emergency closures by the 5th day of the current month, will receive non-paid closures. The closures must be reported to the ELRC and will be entered as non-paid. Scheduled closures must also be added prior to the 5th of the current month in order to be paid. If not, they must be reported to the ELRC and will be entered as non-paid.
• Appendix F – Payment Rate Calculations has been updated to include information about calculating non-traditional add-on rates.

• Added language to clarify OCDEL requires the use of one signed Agreement to be transferable between ELRCs as needed upon newly enrolled children in other ELRC regions to establish payments. An ELRC should not have an additional Agreement signed by the provider specific to their region.

Provider Agreement Clarification

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Deputy Secretary, Shante’ Brown has provided the below message to clarify the intent of ELRC Announcement 24-01 Updated Provider Agreements for Certified Child Care Providers.

Resources for Early Learning Professionals and Programs

Rising STARS Tuition Assistance

Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Program: The Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Program pays 95% of tuition costs and fees for eligible college coursework taken by early learning professionals, with a maximum benefit of $8,000 per individual each fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). Tuition costs and fees net of other funding sources such as scholarships, stipends, discounts, or grants (except the Pell Grant) are used to determine the amount of assistance. It is recommended completed applications be submitted at least four weeks prior to the start of the course, or prior to the tuition due date, whichever is first.

Professional Development Organizations (PDOs)

Professional Development Organizations (PDOs): The PDOs drive local degree attainment and Career Pathway advancement for Pennsylvania’s incumbent child care workforce. Through partnerships with participating Institutes of Higher Education and community-based professional learning organizations, the PDOs offer free tuition, and supports to eligible participants interested in earning a CDA, AA or BA. PDOs also develop and implement recruitment pathways such as dual enrollment programs and Career and Technical Education (CTE) child care pathways. PDOs are funded to serve six regions and work collaboratively with Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs) to prioritize funding with a goal of impacting STARS movement goals.

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship: The T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) Early Childhood® Pennsylvania Scholarship Program offers early learning professionals a debt-free higher education, supporting them while they work to become stronger teachers and earn thriving wages. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Pennsylvania Scholarship Program offers early learning professionals a debt-free college education, supporting them while they work to become stronger teachers and earn thriving wages. In addition to significant financial support, T.E.A.C.H. provides each participant a counselor to help them navigate challenges in their personal life, career or at school and achieve their goals.

 T.E.A.C.H. is a shared investment between the scholarship recipient, the employer and T.E.A.C.H. funders. Employers pay a portion of tuition, provide paid release time for classes and coursework, and issue a stipend or raise at the end of each program year. In return, T.E.A.C.H. scholars commit to working for their employer at least one year after graduation, creating a more stable workforce.