Providers must file new child care rates by Sept. 30, under age brackets the state has not yet adopted

Child care providers who accept state subsidy payments must report their rates in Alaska's AKCCIS portal by Sept. 30 or risk their standing in the Child Care Assistance Program. AKCCIS is the state's child care information system.

The Child Care Program Office issued the requirement in a broadcast notice to providers. It applies to every provider participating in the program, whether or not their rates change, and providers must report rates for every age category in which they offer care, not just a category where a rate has changed.

The office warned that failure to provide the required rate information and written notice to families "may affect a provider's continued participation in CCAP and may impact future payments."

The deadline is tied to regulations that are not yet adopted. The Alaska Department of Health published proposed changes to the program's rate schedule and age categories on July 30. Written comments are due by 5 p.m. on Sept. 14. The office said it anticipates an effective date no sooner than Nov. 1, though it cannot confirm one until adoption is complete. The department says it may adopt language different from what it proposed, or take no action.

The proposed age categories set infant care at birth through 18 months, toddler at 19 through 35 months, preschool at 36 through 71 months, and school age at six through 12 years. The schedule they would replace has stood since Dec. 1, 2021: infant birth through 12 months, toddler 13 through 35 months, preschool 36 through 59 months, school age five through 13 years.

Infants would stay in the highest-paying band six months longer, preschool a year longer, and school age would start a year later and stop at 12 rather than 13.

Providers must complete three steps in order: determine rates under the proposed categories, give written notice to affected families at least 30 days before any change and no later than Sept. 30, and submit the rates through AKCCIS.com with a copy of the family notice uploaded. The system will accept submissions only between Sept. 14 and Sept. 30.

The underlying proposal would raise the income ceiling for assistance from 85 percent to 105 percent of state median income and add a PASS V category for families in that band.

The notice reflects the state's account only. Providers with questions can reach the Child Care Program Office at (907) 269-4500 or [email protected].