News

July 21, 2020

Child Care Works Payment Practice Changes Effective 9/1

On July 17, the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) issued an announcement stating that starting September 1, 2020, Child Care Works (CCW) payments will return to payment practices and policies based on attendance and invoicing for all children. This will remain true regardless of when a child was enrolled with the provider.

Additional Policy Changes

In addition, the following policies will again be effective starting September 1:

    • absences will be tracked and counted towards the 40 days of absences for all children;
    • children’s enrollment after five days of absence will be suspended until the child returns to care;
    • all Adverse Action notices will be sent to families per policy;
    • dual enrollments, the practice implemented under COVID-19 to support both a closed provider and families who need care, will end; and
    • collection of family co-pays will resume.

The announcement is intended to provide advance notice to child care providers, allowing them to plan for the use of final CARES Act funding which will be issued in August. Providers should communicate the resumption of absence policies (effective September 1) to the families they serve.

More Information

For more information, view OCDEL’s full announcement or contact your local ELRC.

Image: An early childhood professional sits on the floor, supervising two toddlers who are playing with several types of colorful toys.