Managing Child Care Financial Assistance

This page provides information for family access administrators on the Department of Early Education and Care's (EEC) regulations and policies for child care financial assistance, including EEC's rate chart and SMI income guidelines.

Table of Contents

Child care subsidy management

Fiscal Year 2024 Rates

The final fiscal year 2024 state budget included $65 million for rate increases for early education and care providers who accept state child care financial assistance, known as rates. Based on this, EEC proposed increases to the rate amounts, as well as reforms to how rates are calculated to address long-standing inequities in rate amounts by geographic region and age group of children served. The Board of Early Education and Care approved EEC’s rate proposal on January 10, 2024.


The updated rates for center-based early education and care providers will be implemented on February 1, 2024, with an effective date of July 1, 2023. This means that starting in February, providers will see an increased amount in their reimbursement payments. It also means that the new rates apply retroactively to services provided on or after July 1, 2023, for which providers will receive a one-time payment in February to account for these increases.

Rates for family child care providers will be finalized once the new contract with SEIU Local 509 has been ratified. More information will be shared at that time.

Additional Resources   for Fiscal Year 2024 Rates

Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) system

EEC provides subsidies to families in need to help cover the cost of child care.  Early education and care programs that accept these subsidies use EEC's Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) system for documenting family eligibility, tracking child attendance, and submitting requests for reimbursement.

 

How to use CCFA

These instructional videos and training materials provide guidance for programs on how to use the various functions in CCFA. 

Get Help on CCFA

If you have a question about CCFA or need assistance using the system, you may submit a request to EEC's Help Desk. Please close your web browser after submitting the request.  If you have not received a response to a previously submitted request, please check your email junk folder before opening a new ticket.

Key Actions   for Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) system

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