Child Care Subsidy Changes Coming July 1, 2019

Child Care Subsidy Transfers to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families

Effective July 1, 2019, the Child Care Subsidy Program will transition from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), creating the DCYF Child Care Subsidy Contact Center. Beginning July 1, Families currently accessing child care services through DSHS will contact DCYF at 844-626-8687. The Child Care Subsidy Contact Center will also have a new mailing address: PO Box 11346, Tacoma, WA 98411-9903. Providers will continue to use the current provider line at 800-394-4571. However, the provider help email address will change to providerhelp@dcyf.wa.gov. Families and providers using the current DSHS contact information will be connected to the DCYF Child Care Subsidy Contact Center through the summer. The new contacts are not active until July 1, when the agency transition is complete.

Increased Child Care Subsidy Rates

Effective July 1, 2019, DCYF will increase child care subsidy base rates for Licensed Family Home providers, Licensed Center providers, and Family, Friends, and Neighbors (FFN) providers. This brings the child care subsidy rates for licensed family homes and licensed centers to the 55th percentile of the market rate at Early Achievers level 3.

• Providers’ July invoice will reflect this rate increase.
• Tiered reimbursement for licensed family homes and centers will be calculated on the increased base rate.
• FFN provider’s rate will be $2.55 per hour.

Tiered Reimbursement Increase

Effective July 1, 2019, DCYF will increase the tiered reimbursement amounts for Licensed Family Homes and Licensed Centers. The new tiered reimbursement rates are:

Non-Standard Hour Bonus Increase

Effective July 1, 2019, DCYF will increase the payment non-standard hour bonus from $75 to $76.50 for licensed family homes only. Non-standard hours are defined as before 6:00 a.m., after 6:00 p.m., or on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday. Once the licensed family home provider cares for a child at least 30 non-standard hours in a month, they can claim this bonus.

Reinstatement of Field Trip/Quality Enhancement Fee

Effective July 1, 2019, the Field Trip/Quality Enhancement Fee will be reinstated for Licensed Family Home providers. The Field Trip Fee is part of the collective bargaining agreement between the State of Washington and Service Employees International Union 925, per the 2019-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The total cost of the Field Trip Fees will not exceed $720,000 for the life of this agreement.

The State reimburses licensed family child care providers who have a written policy to charge all families a field trip fee up to $30 per child per month, regardless of age, for admission fees and other enriching activities. The fee covers the provider’s actual expense for:

1. Admission;
2. Enrichment programs and/or ongoing lessons;
3. Public transportation or mileage reimbursement at the state Office of Financial Management rate for the use of a private vehicle;
4. The cost of hiring a non-employee to provide an activity at the child care site; and
5. The purchase or development of a prekindergarten curriculum.

The fee does not cover fees or admission costs for adults on field trips or food purchased on field trips.

Changes to Claiming Time Limits

Beginning with invoices for services provided in July 2019 or later, providers must make a claim for payment for service no later than six (6) months after the date of invoice.

• For example: for an invoice dated July 21, 2019, providers are required to submit a claim before February 1, 2020.

Payment for Care Provided Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and Paper Warrant Processing for FFN and Licensed Home Providers

For FFN and licensed home providers beginning with invoices made in July 2019, the State will process paper warrants (checks) twice per month, on the second and sixteenth day of the month. The claim cutoff is 4:30 p.m. the previous business day. If the standard processing date falls on a weekend or State holiday, the State will process the paper warrant on the first business day following the standard processing date.

Beginning August 2019, all payments made to new providers will be issued by EFT and will be transferred to the provider’s financial institution within five (5) business days following the processing of payment. If the provider does not have access to a financial institution, they may choose to receive a mailed payment in lieu of a direct deposit. They must submit a request in writing indicating this preference on the appropriate DCYF form.

If you have questions regarding these changes, please contact Jason Ramynke, Child Care Subsidy Administrator at 360-688-0911 or jason.ramynke@dcyf.wa.gov.