SR 21-06 Dated 06/21

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES – DIVISION OF ECONOMIC AND HOUSING STABILITY

Bureau of Child Development and Head start collaboration (BCDHSC)

INTER-DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION

SUMMARY

This SR releases the following:

·       The 2021 update to the NH Child Care Scholarship Maximum Weekly Standard Rates paid to DHHS enrolled child care providers for authorized child care services provided; and

·       The Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration (BCDHSC) Form 2533, Child Care Scholarship Program - Employment Related Maximum Weekly Standard Rates.

BACKGROUND

The Department of Health and Human Services conducts a federally mandated survey every two years, known as the Market Rate Survey (MRS), of rates charged by licensed child care centers and licensed child care homes in New Hampshire. In the most recent survey, conducted in 2021, full time rates for Out of School Time Programs were also included in the survey. The DHHS maximum payment rates for child care services are based on the rates from this survey.

The Department has set the rates as follows:

·       60^th percentile for birth through 35 months; and

·       55^th percentile for 36 through 155 months.

Pursuant to He-C 6910.17; rates for license-exempt family child care providers are set at 70% of the licensed family child care home standard rate for each age group.  The payment rates for license-exempt centers are set at 50% of the licensed child care center standard rate.

POLICY

2021 NH Child Care Scholarship Program - Employment Related Maximum Weekly Standard Rates 

NEW HEIGHTS SYSTEMS PROCEDURES AND IMPLEMENTATION

New HEIGHTS will update the table containing the maximum weekly standard rates with the revised weekly standard rates. These updated figures will appear on the New HEIGHTS child care cost share worksheet screen and are effective July 12, 2021.

DESCRIPTION OF REVISIONS MADE TO FORMS

BCDHSC Form 2533, Child Care Scholarship Program – Employment Related Maximum Weekly Standard Rates, has been revised to reflect updated rates. The information on the Form 2533, is used by Bureau of Family Assistance staff, BCDHSC staff, Child Care Resource and Referral, and child care providers, to calculate correct payment to child care providers. This form is two-sided with the Maximum Weekly Standard Rates on one side and information regarding payment on the reverse.  The Maximum Weekly Standard Rates are based on the provider type, service level and child’s age. The Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration (BCDHSC) will not pay for children under 72 months in a license-exempt center; therefore, there are no rates for children birth – 71 months for this provider type. The reverse side of the form provides information pertinent to the NH Child Care Scholarship payment, including how level of service is defined and the amount of the additional payments made to child care providers caring for children with significant special need(s). In addition, the form explains how to determine the DHHS Child Care Scholarship payment, with examples.

Since this form is a reference tool, no instructions are provided.

POLICY MANUAL REVISIONS

Revised Family Assistance Manual Topics

PART 937     NH CHILD CARE STANDARD RATE

IMPLEMENTATION

Changes identified in the SR are effective July 12, 2021 for current cases, and will apply to any new cases processed on or after that date.

BCDHSC Form 2533 Child Care Scholarship Program – Employment Related Maximum Weekly Standard Rates is effective July 12, 2021. The Form 2533 Child Care Scholarship Program Maximum Weekly Standard Rates, (Effective November 2019), should be destroyed and not used after July 12, 2021. A Certificate of Destruction has been included at the end of this SR. The forms are also available electronically, for Department staff only, in the Family Services Folder on the N Drive. It can also be accessed on the Child Development Bureau Forms page of the DHHS website https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcyf/cdb/forms.htm and on the Child Care Scholarships page of the NH DHHS website https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcyf/cdb/eligibility.htm. Paper copies will not be distributed to the District Offices.

CLIENT NOTIFICATION

Clients will be advised of the new NH Child Care Scholarship maximum weekly standard rates at application or redetermination on or after July 12, 2021. Child Care Aware of New Hampshire will distribute the updated table to families, as appropriate. The NH Child Care Scholarship maximum weekly standard rates will be posted on the Child Care Scholarships page of the NH DHHS website.

BCDHSC Form 2533, Child Care Scholarship Program – Employment Related Maximum Weekly Standard Rates, will be sent to any child care provider as needed or upon request. All new, re-enrolling or renewing providers will receive the information upon DHHS enrollment. Child Care Aware of New Hampshire will distribute the updated table electronically to all of the providers in their e-mail database. Providers may also access BCDHSC Form 2533, on the Child Development Bureau Forms page of the DHHS website https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcyf/cdb/forms.htm and on the Child Care Scholarships page of the NH DHHS website https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcyf/cdb/eligibility.htm.

On July 12, 2021, a letter titled, Important Changes to New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship, will be sent to parents/guardians open for child care. A letter titled, Important Changes to New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship Billing, will be sent to all DHHS enrolled child care providers.  A copy of each letter is attached to this SR for reference.

TRAINING

No special training is planned or needed due to the procedural nature of the SR.

FORMS MANUAL POSTING INSTRUCTIONS

DISPOSITION

This SR may be destroyed or deleted after its contents have been noted and the revised manual topics released by this SR have been posted to the On-line manuals.

DISTRIBUTION

This SR will be distributed according to the electronic distribution list for Bureau of Family Assistance policy releases. This SR, and revised On-Line Manuals, will be available for agency staff in the On-Line Manual Library, and for public access on the Internet at www.dhhs.nh.gov/DFA/publications.htm.  

BCDHSC/BH