Reimbursement ceiling rates for providers of publicly funded child care were adjusted effective May 1, 2007 with the filing of emergency rules. The rules issued with this transmittal are permanent rules that contain the same revisions made in the emergency rules. The rules issued with this transmittal are effective June 28, 2007.

These rates are the maximum reimbursement amounts payable by county departments of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) to licensed and certified child care providers. The adjusted rates are set at the 65th percentile of the rates reported by providers in the 2006 market rate survey conducted by the Ohio State University Statistical Consulting Service. The number of market rate sectors has been changed from three to six, which best represents groupings of counties with similar child care rate structures.

Analysis of the 2006 market rate survey results demonstrated some categories of care for which the reimbursement ceiling rate should be lowered, however the department has chosen not to reduce any reimbursement ceiling rates at this time.

Appendix A of rule 5101:2-16-41 shows the reimbursement ceiling rates for each CDJFS to follow. Each chart contains the maximum reimbursement ceiling rates for the five types of providers who are either licensed or certified. Actual payment rates to these providers are based on individual contracts between the CDJFS and the provider.

A new category, "School Age Summer" has been added to the rate structure. This maximum reimbursement ceiling rate is to be used when contracting with providers who provide care to school age children as follows:

School Age Summer maximum reimbursement ceiling rates shall be in effect during weeks in May, June, July, August and September when the school in which the child is enrolled is not in session due to a summer break. The CDJFS shall reimburse the county's summer school age rate for the entire week.

Appendix A of rule 5101:2-16-41.1 shows the hourly maximum reimbursement ceiling rates for payments to Early Learning Initiative (ELI) providers. These rates are being changed to correspond to the adjusted maximum hourly reimbursement ceiling rates for subsidized child care. These payments are made by ODJFS.

The rules contained in this transmittal are:

Rule 5101:2-16-41 Reimbursement Rates for Providers of Publicly Funded Child Care. The appendix of this rule has been amended to show the adjusted maximum reimbursement ceiling rates.

Rule 5101:2-16-41.1 Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Responsibilities for Reimbursement to Early Learning Initiative (ELI) Agencies. The appendix has been amended to show the adjusted hourly maximum reimbursement ceiling rates.

Please contact the Office for Children and Families Help Desk at 1-866-886-3537, option 4 if you have questions.

INSTRUCTIONS: The following chart identifies the material that needs to be removed from and inserted into the Child Care Manual (CCM).