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Development
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Day Care Licensing | Child Care Assistance | Financial
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Protection
Child Care Assistance
The Child Care Assistance Program is designed to assist low income families so they can work, job search or attend school while moving towards self-sufficiency.
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps pay for child care so low income families can work, job search, or attend school while moving towards self-sufficiency. CCAP helps pay for children up to age 12 and for children with special needs up to age 14. CCAP is available to: Families participating in Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), families that had an MFIP case close within the last 12 months and low-income families that may be eligible for the Basic Sliding Fee (BSF) program. (link to site of “Types of child care funding”).
Child Care Assistance Staff:
Brenda S. Jennifer Q.. Sheila W.
507-304-4162 507-304-4066 507-304-4330
Child Care Assistance Supervisor
Tracey Hansen
507-304-4293
- Types of Child Care Funding
- Application Process
- What Costs are Covered and Rates (Link to form- DCF.20)
- Eligible Child Care Providers
- Provider Responsibility
- Parent Responsibility
- On-Line Resources
- Appeal Rights
- MEC2 Pro information and enrollment forms
Types of Child Care Funding
- Minnesota Family Investment Plan (MFIP) is Minnesota’s case assistance program that helps families become self-sufficient. MFIP Child Care Assistance can help families who participate in MFIP pay for child care while they look for work, attend training or school to prepare for work as directed in their MFIP Employment Plan. MFIP families are eligible for Child Care Assistance immediately upon timely completion of the application.
- Transition Year is for families who are moving off MFIP and continue to receive child care assistance for one year. After this year, families are eligible to receive Basic Sliding Fee child care assistance. If there is a waiting list for BSF, these Transition Year families may be eligible for a one year extension.
- Basic Sliding Fee child care assistance is available for families who do not qualify for MFIP and must meet family income eligibility guidelines (link to “gross income.doc”). Typically, Blue Earth County has a waiting list for this program.
Application Process: Families interested in applying for child care assistance can:
- Call 507-304-4222 and request application materials, inquire about your family’s eligibility for the different Types of Child Care Funding (connect to that link) and/or inquire about the waiting list.
- Pick up an application at:
Blue Earth County Government Center (link to directions page)
410 South 5th Street
Mankato, MN 56001
- For Basic Sliding Fee (BSF) assistance complete the on-line application (DCF.56.doc & DCF.46(2))
- For MFIP and Transitional Year CCAP
- Go the DHS web site to complete an on-line CCAP application at. http://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Legacy/DHS-3550-eng
- Go to the DHS web site to complete Child Support application materials (required for the non-custodial parent of every minor child living in the home) at : http://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Legacy/DHS-3163B-ENG and http://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Legacy/DHS-2338-ENG
- (delete bullet)
- AND read and complete additional county forms (link to the forms)
- Print out all forms and fully complete/sign where requested
- Attach any requested verifications
- Mail or hand deliver to the above address within 15 days from the signature date; otherwise they will not be accepted.
Eligible Child Care Providers
- Day Care Centers includes drop-in centers and nursery schools that are licensed through the State. Parents signs a contract with the center.
- Licensed Family Home Child Care Providers are licensed through the county of residence and the parent signs a contract with the provider. See Family Day Care Licensing and How to Choose a Day-Care Home (link to sites-DCF.48) for more information.
- Legally Unlicensed Child Care Providers care for children from one unrelated family plus his or her own children. This may also include any number of children related to the provider such as grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The provider must be at least 18 years of age and successfully pass a criminal and social services background check. A $100 fee is charged to process the background checks. This provider is unlicensed and the site is not monitored by the county or state. See When you do not need to be licensed (link to that site) for more information.
Provider Responsibilities
- Assure billing forms are accurate, complete and contain the appropriate signatures.
- All provider bills must be sent to Blue Earth County within 60 days of the last date of service on the bill. CCAP may pay a bill submitted after this 60-day limit only if the provider shows good cause for the delay.
- Notify Blue Earth County when a parent ends child care if no confirmation notice about the termination of services has been received.
- See the DHS Minnesota Child Care Assistance Child Care Provider Guide for more information. http://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Legacy/DHS-5260-ENG
- See DHS Child Care Provider Responsibilities and Rights for more information: http://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Legacy/DHS-4079-ENG
Parent Responsibilities
- Report all changes to Blue Earth County within 10 days of the change. This includes changes in family size, address, income, work or school activity.
- Complete an eligibility review at least every six months. Providers are sent a notice if a parent has a change in the co-payment or is terminated from child care assistance.
- Cooperate with Child Support activities
On-Line Resources
- Minnesota Department of Human Services Child Care Assistance Program:
- Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR): http://www.mnchildcare.org/
- Minnesota Legislative Rule: https://webrh12.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/rules/?id=3400
Appeal Rights
Families and/or providers who are adversely affected by a county agency decisions can appeal for a review of the matter by the Department of Human Services (DHS) Appeals Office. Appeals must be sent within 30 days after the county sends you a notice of action. Most appeals are decided within 90 days of the date of request for a hearing. People may use the Appeal to State Agency form (DHS-0033) or may send a letter indicating disagreement with the county agency's decision. Forms and/or letters can be sent to:
Minnesota Department of Human Services
PO Box 64941
St. Paul, MN 55164-0941
Attn: State Appeals Office
