Section 148-6-5 - PARENT FEE AND COSTSA.Associated Parent Fees & Costs1. All Parents will be assessed, and a Parent Fee will be determined based on the number of individuals in the Family, the Eligibility Income of the family, and Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) level of the Provider. The Parent Fee does not vary with the number of Children receiving Child Care Services, the amount of Child Care Services they need, or the type of Child Care Services the Parent chooses to use.2. The Department will notify Parents of the amount of the Parent Fee and associated payment terms. All Parent Fees will be paid directly to the Child Care Provider by the Parent or another party acting on behalf of the Parent, for the full period their Child(ren) is/are enrolled and the Department is making Child Care Affordability Program Payments on their behalf.3. Parents choosing a Provider at the second highest QRIS level will receive a ten percent (10%) reduction in their Parent Fee determination. Parents choosing a Provider at the highest QRIS level will receive a twenty percent (20%) reduction in their Parent Fee determination.4. If the Parent Fee exceeds the state reimbursement rate, the Parent is not eligible to receive Child Care Affordability Program payments.5. Under no circumstances will the Department use state or federal funds to pay the Parent Fee.6. Parent Fees may be paid with scholarship funds or other sources.7. The total amount of the Parent Fee assessed cannot exceed ten percent (10%) of the Family's Gross Income or Allowable Net Income.B.Maximum Parent Fees as a Percentage of Eligibility Income.1. The maximum Parent Fee as a percentage of Eligibility Income will be as follows: Federal Poverty Guidelines | Maximum Parent Fee as Percentage of Eligibility Income |
Up to 25% | 2% |
26% - 50% | 4% |
51% - 75% | 5% |
76% - 100% | 6% |
101% - 125% | 8% |
126% - 150% | 9% |
151% - Maximum Allowed | 10% |
C. A Parent Fee can be adjusted between re-determinations only:1. If a Parent's Eligibility Income decreases;2. To correct an error in the prior calculation; or3. To reinstate a Parent Fee that has been lowered (cannot be increased to more than the initial Parent Fee).D. When the Parent Fee is adjusted, an updated Award Letter will be sent to the Parent and Child Care Provider.E. Neither the Department nor the Child Care Provider has the authority to waive the Parent Fee.F. The Child Care Provider will collect the Parent Fee portion of the payment from the Parent on a weekly basis, as agreed to in the Provider Agreement.G.Changing Providers. A Parent who chooses a different Child Care Provider must 1. Inform the Department ten (10) days prior to enrolling their Children with the new Provider.2. The Parent must provide twelve (12) calendar days notice to their current Provider and continue to pay the Provider their Parent Fee for those days.3. The Department will make no Child Care Affordability Program Payments to the new Provider, and the Parent must pay the new Provider their full rate, until the original Provider is paid the parent fee for the notice time period, or a plan is agreed upon by the Child Care Provider and the Parent. If the Parent defaults on said payment arrangements, the Department shall terminate the Parent's Child Care Affordability Program eligibility.H. The Parent is solely responsible for transportation fees, late pickup fees, field trips, and other non-reimbursable fees incurred by the Child to access Child Care Services.