CHILD CARE CHILD CARE PROVIDERS PROVIDERS ARE ESSENTIAL ARE ESSENTIAL This was true before the novel coronavirus and will continue to be as we rebuild our economy and strengthen our communities. One way the state government is looking to support the child care sector through this public health crisis and beyond is by making Child Care Connection Hawaii (CCCH) subsidies available to more families. During this crisis, DHS is temporarily expanding eligibility. Some of the most notable changes include: • No income cap – CCCH subsidies will be awarded to all families impacted by this emergency, with priority given to underserved and at-risk families, so long as money is available. • Suspension of activity requirements – parents temporarily do not have to meet activity requirements to assist families who have lost jobs and are looking for new employment. • Suspension of subsidy co-payments – parents may have their family co-payment portion of the subsidy payment waived. • Ability to hold spots – families who have kept their child at home during this crisis or whose providers have temporarily closed can still get subsidies to hold their child’s spot until their child returns. This is good news for providers. Many more of your families may now be eligible for these subsidies. We urge you to share the information about the changes for subsidies with all of your families. Preparing as a Provider Preparing as a Provider If you have not previously served families who receive subsidy assistance, now is the time to start! Below are the simple steps you’ll take when one of your families is eligible for CCCH assistance. FOR ALL PROVIDERS • Complete the Child Care Certificate and Provider Confirmation Form (DHS 918) when a family provides it to you. • To sign up for deposits to be forwarded to you electronically, please contact your assigned Child Care Licensing Unit. • Provide families with their child care receipt each month when you receive payment. FOR UNREGISTERED OR UNLICENSED PROVIDERS If you are not a registered or licensed provider, you may still serve families who receive subsidy assistance. You’ll need to go through additional screening. This screening will be limited at this point as we limit in-person interactions. You can expect this screening to include: • Background checks of all household members or all staff at the facility, which include: national and state criminal records, national and state sex offender registries, state child abuse or neglect registry, and state adult abuse or neglect registry. If you are already registered with or licensed by DHS, you do not need to undergo any additional requirements. Simply fill out the DHS 918 form (noted above) when a family brings it to you.