Licensed providers who are contracted, and provide care for a disproportionate share of children receiving child care assistance from the DSS, may qualify for a rate differential over the base rate. This rate differential is a thirty percent (30%) increase over the base rate and is specific to the provider. A provider is eligible for this increase if the number of subsidized children is at least fifty percent (50%) of the total number of children in their care. The eligibility for this increase is based on the number of children in their care rather than a percentage of the provider’s capacity. Child Care providers currently receiving this increase will be reviewed annually to ensure the number of subsidized children is at least fifty percent (50%) of the total number of children in their care. ECPS staff is responsible for entering and updating the information regarding disproportionate share. The system will automatically add the disproportionate share payment, service code DISP, for qualifying child care providers whenever a child care payment is entered into the system.
Circumstances allowing providers to maintain their disproportionate share:
- Facility is still operating at the same location and ownership is assumed by another individual/entity.
- Facility moves to a different location and has the same ownership.
- Departmental Vendor Number (DVN) changed due to becoming a corporation or a change in facility type.
Note: Licensed providers must notify DSS of any of the above changes within thirty (30) days of change.
Circumstances causing a provider to lose their Disproportionate share:
- Change in legal status, i.e. from license to license exempt.
- Facility is operating at different location and ownership is assumed by another individual/entity.
- Number of subsidized children in care falls below 50% of the facility’s total enrollment.
NOTE: A new application for disproportionate share rate differential is defined as an application from a newly licensed provider or a licensed provider whose contract has lapsed more than 30 days. No new applications for the disproportionate share rate differential are being accepted at this time.