What is special needs rate?
The special needs rate supports the provider with the additional costs incurred by providing care for a child with unique physical, emotional, or developmental needs. The special needs rate is a payment made in addition to the regular subsidy payment for caring for a child. Special needs rate does not pay for the provider’s training or for the child’s equipment needs while in the child care setting.
Who qualifies for special needs rate?
A child must be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP) to receive a special needs rate. The child must also be:
- Age thirteen to nineteen years of age and be under court supervision; or
- Be less than nineteen years of age and have a verified physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral condition that requires a higher level of care in a child care setting.
- Verification can include:
- Individualized Education Plan (IEP); or
- Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP); or
- Documentation provided by a health, mental health, education, or social service professional with at least a master's degree or a registered nurse. The medical professional should not be employed by the provider or related to the child or child’s family.
How do I apply for a special needs rate?
A family must be eligible for CCSP to apply for the special needs rate. Parent/guardians may apply for CCSP by phone at 1-844-626-8687 or apply online at washingtonconnection.org.
Once eligible for CCSP, The parent/guardian and their child’s provider apply for special needs rate by completing the Special Needs Child Care Rate Request (Form number 12-001) and supplying supporting information that that describes the child’s condition and need for a higher level of care. The supporting information must be completed by a qualified individual who is not employed by the child care facility nor a relative of the provider or the child's family, and is either a health, mental health, education or social service professional with at least a master's degree or a registered nurse.
Examples of documents 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; or
- Comprehensive assessments from a mental health professional.
The DCYF Special Needs Panel reviews the medical documentation and the provider’s description of the accommodations being made for a child’s special needs and determines the additional rate of care.
How is the special needs rate determined?
The Special Needs Panel reviews the Special Needs Rate Request and supporting documentation. The Panel consideration covers:
- The additional rate the provider is requesting.
- The level of care above and 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.
A provider that requests a rate that is less than or equal to level 1 rate is approved when the child meets the eligibility for special needs. See level 1 rates below. The panel considers the provider’s request for level 2 rates when they ask for a rate higher than level 1. The level 2 rates are assigned on a scale between the level 1 rate and below the maximum level 2 rate based on the intensity and frequency of support. See 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
| 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
| 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: $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.