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.