NDDHS surveying child care rates

The N.D. Department of Human Services is conducting a statewide market rate survey of all licensed child care providers to evaluate payment reimbursement rates for the Child Care Assistance Program. The program helps make quality child care affordable for eligible low-income families.

“We encourage all licensed child care providers who receive this survey to provide feedback about their child care business,” said Carol Cartledge, director of the department’s Economic Assistance Policy Division. “The information is vital for determining rates for the Child Care Assistance Program so qualifying families have greater access to the different types of child care options in their community.”

The survey, which will be mailed to all licensed child care providers in the state, asks six questions about the number of children in care and the rates each provider charges for a part-time or full-time infant, toddler, pre-school child or school-aged child. The survey is estimated to take about 10 minutes to complete. All responses will remain confidential.

Cartledge said the department is required by federal law to administer the Child Care Assistance Program market rate survey every two years.

The Child Care Assistance Program helps eligible low-income families pay for child care while parents work, attend school or job-related training or search for a job. Families pay a portion of their child care expenses using a sliding-fee scale based on family size, income, age of the child, type of child care provider and level of care. Families can apply for the program at their local county social service office. Contact information is online at www.nd.gov/dhs/loca tions/countysocialserv/.

North Dakota’s Child Care Assistance Program serves about 2,430 children per month. The average monthly payment per family is $385.

Individuals with questions regarding the Child Care Assistance Program market rate survey can contact the Economic Assistance Policy Division of the N.D. Department of Human Services at 701-328-2332, toll free 800-755-2716, ND Relay TTY 800-366-6888 or dhseap@ nd.gov.

Tags: local business, business