What is the special needs rate?
The special needs rate is extra money that helps a child with special physical, emotional, or developmental needs attend child care. This payment is added to the regular child care payment. The amount depends on how much extra time the provider spends caring for the child’s needs.
The family must show that the child qualifies for the special needs rate. This payment does not cover provider training or special equipment needed at the child care program.
Who qualifies for special needs rate?
A child must qualify for Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) and meet one of these conditions:
- Be ages 13 to 19 and under court supervision, or
- Be under age 19 and have a verified physical, mental, emotional, or behavior need that requires extra care in a child care setting.
Verification of physical, mental, emotional, or behavior need may include:
- An Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or
- An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), or
- A letter or document from a qualified professional, such as a health, mental health, education, or social services professional with at least a master’s degree, or a registered nurse.
- The professional providing documentation cannot work for the child care provider and cannot be related to the child or the child’s family.
How do I apply for a special needs rate?
A family must be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP) to apply. Parents or guardians can apply for CCSP:
By phone: 1-844-626-8687
Online: washingtonconnection.org
After the family is approved for CCSP, the parent or guardian and their child’s provider must complete the Special Needs Child Care Rate Request (12-001). They must also provide documents that explain why the child needs a higher level of care.
The documentation must be completed by a qualified professional who:
Does not work for the child care program
Is not a relative of the provider or the child's family
Is either a health, mental health, education or social service professional with at least a master's degree, or a registered nurse
Examples of documentation can include, but are not limited to:
- Medical or psychological reports from a mental health professional
- Medical reports or statements from a medical health professional
- Individualized education plan (IEP)
- Individual health plan (IHP)
- Individual family service plan (IFSP)
- Basic health records from a health care provider
- Comprehensive assessments from a mental health professional
The DCYF Special Needs Panel reviews the documentation and the provider’s description of the accommodations for the child’s special needs and determines the special needs rate.
How is the special needs rate determined?
The Special Needs Panel reviews the Special Needs Rate Request and documentation. The Panel considers:
- The additional rate the provider is requesting.
- The level of care beyond what is developmentally appropriate for the age of child.
- The child’s need for additional support while in care.
- The need for dedicated staff attention or one-on-one care.
The review panel also looks at how much time the child’s behaviors or health needs require and provided by the provider during the time the child is inof child care.
The special needs rate does not pay for provider training or special equipment the child needs while in care.
If a provider asks for a payment that is level 1 or lower, it is approved as long as the child qualifies for special needs care. You can see the level 1 rates below.
If a provider asks for a payment higher than level 1, the panel will review the request for a level 2 rate.
Level 2 rates are set between the level 1 rate and the maximum level 2 rate. The amount depends on how often and how much extra support the child needs. You can see the level 2 rates below.
Level 1 Rates
Level 1 rates are the standard special needs rate. They are established in WAC 110-15-0225 for licensed center providers, WAC 110-15-0230 for licensed family homes, and WAC 110-15-0235 for FFN providers. These rates represent the minimum special needs rate.
Licensed Center Level 1 Rates
| Region | Full / Half Day | Infants (Birth - 11 mos.) | Toddlers (12 - 29 mos.) | Preschool (30 mos. - 6 yrs. not attending kindergarten or school) | School-age (5 - 12 yrs. attending kindergarten or school) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 | Full-Day Half-Day | $7.30 $3.65 | $6.14 $3.07 | $5.80 $2.90 | $5.45 $2.73 |
| Region 2 | Full-Day Half-Day | $7.36 $3.68 | $6.15 $3.08 | $5.70 $2.85 | $5.05 $2.52 |
| Region 3 | Full-Day Half-Day | $9.75 $4.88 | $8.13 $4.06 | $7.02 $3.51 | $6.82 $3.41 |
| Region 4 | Full-Day Half-Day | $11.35 $5.67 | $9.48 $4.74 | $7.95 $3.98 | $7.16 $3.58 |
| Region 5 | Full-Day Half-Day | $8.32 $4.16 | $7.16 $3.58 | $6.30 $3.15 | $5.59 $2.80 |
| Region 6 | Full-Day Half-Day | $8.18 $4.09 | $7.02 $3.51 | $6.14 $3.07 | $6.00 $3.00 |
- Centers in Clark County are paid Region 3 rates.
- Centers in Benton, Walla Walla, and Whitman counties are paid Region 6 rates.
Licensed Family Home Level 1 Rates
| Region | Full / Half Day | Infants (Birth - 11 mos.) | Toddlers (12 - 29 mos.) | Preschool (30 mos. - 6 yrs. not attending kindergarten or school) | School-age (5 - 12 yrs. attending kindergarten or school) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 | Full-Day Half-Day | $6.00 $3.00 | $5.40 $2.70 | $5.40 $2.70 | $4.80 $2.40 |
| Region 2 | Full-Day Half-Day | $6.00 $3.00 | $5.70 $2.85 | $5.10 $2.55 | $5.10 $2.55 |
| Region 3 | Full-Day Half-Day | $8.70 $4.35 | $7.50 $3.75 | $6.60 $3.30 | $6.00 $3.00 |
| Region 4 | Full-Day Half-Day | $9.00 $4.50 | $8.90 $4.45 | $7.50 $3.75 | $7.20 $3.60 |
| Region 5 | Full-Day Half-Day | $6.60 $3.30 | $6.00 $3.00 | $5.70 $2.85 | $5.10 $2.55 |
| Region 6 | Full-Day Half-Day | $6.60 $3.30 | $6.00 $3.00 | $6.00 $3.00 | $5.70 $2.85 |
Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Level 1 rate is $0.62 per hour.
Level 2 Rates
Licensed Center and Licensed Family Home Level 2 rates are greater than level 1, not to exceed $15.89 per hour. Hourly rates are converted to match the child’s authorization and authorized in half-day, full-day, partial-day, or monthly units.
Example:
A child who has a base authorization of 22 full-time days is authorized a special needs rate that is determined hourly rate x 10 hours per day x 22 full-time days. If the special needs rate is $10.00 per hour, the special needs authorization will be $100 per unit and 22 units are authorized.
FFN level 2 rates are greater than level 1, but not to exceed $9.41 per hour. Special needs rates for FFN providers are authorized in hourly units.
For additional information:
- Providers please contact the Provider Help Line at 1-800-394-4571 or email providerhelp@dcyf.wa.gov.
- Families please contact the Child Care Subsidy Contact Center at 844-626-8687.
