CCMPL 128 (2019 Update to Publicly Funded Child Care County Categories and Provider Payment Rates)
Child Care Manual Procedure Letter No. 128
July 19, 2019
TO: All Child Care Clearance Reviewers
FROM: Kimberly Hall, Director
SUBJECT: 2019 Update to Publicly Funded Child Care County Categories and Provider Payment Rates

Background:

The Child Care Development Block Grant Act of 2014 requires each state to complete a market rate survey to be used in establishing rates for publicly funded child care. In late 2018, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) conducted the market rate survey through an electronic survey sent to all licensed providers to capture rate data by age category and time served (i.e. full time, part time, hourly). After the electronic survey closed, provider rate data was obtained from three additional sources: 1) published rate sheets from a sample of providers who completed the survey, 2) the ODJFS web portal, and 3) child care provider records maintained by Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA). Quality studies were performed to compare the values of the rates provided in the electronic survey to each of these other sources. Once the data was compiled, it was sorted into similar categories based on statistical analysis.

Implementation:

Effective Sunday, July 21, 2019, ODJFS will implement new rates for publicly funded child care based on the 2018 market rate survey, the federal guidance requiring base rates to be at or above the 25th percentile and the state fiscal year 2020/2021 budget language which ensures that no county moves to a rating tier with a lower reimbursement rate than the one in effect for the county on January 1, 2019. The new county categories and provider payment rates will be used for payments for services provided on or after July 21, 2019. The new categories and payment rates by county are on the attached appendix.

Appendix A to rule 5101:2-16-10 of the Ohio Administrative Code is currently moving through the rule making process to implement the five-year review of the publicly funded child care rules. The rule and appendix will be original filed to reflect these changes and will be effective in October 2019.

ODJFS is monitoring current proposed budget language. Changes required as a result of the final budget will be implemented as required.

Please contact the Child Care Policy Helpdesk at 1-877-302-2347, option 4, if you have any questions.