The North Carolina Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program (SCCA) plays a vital role in supporting families and child care providers across the state. This initiative is designed to make child care more affordable for eligible, low-income families by sharing the costs, ensuring that more than 100,000 children in North Carolina have access to quality care each year. For child care providers, participating in the SCCA program can be a meaningful way to support their community while maintaining a sustainable business.
What Does Enrolling in the Subsidized Child Care Program Mean for Providers?
For child care providers in North Carolina, enrolling in the Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program (SCCA) is a process that allows them to receive payments for providing care to children from families receiving state assistance. This enrollment is crucial for providers who wish to participate and benefit from the program. To become an SCCA program provider, there are several key steps and requirements to understand.
To be eligible for the SCCA Program, providers must meet specific criteria. Firstly, they need to have a rated license of 3 stars or higher, demonstrating a commitment to quality care. Religious-sponsored programs, also known as G.S. 110 – 106, must hold a Notice of Compliance letter. These prerequisites ensure that children in the subsidized program receive care in regulated and reputable environments.
The provider enrollment process primarily aims to confirm the legal operation of the chosen provider and to gather rate information necessary for payment approvals. For providers new to the SCCA Program, an in-person visit to the Local Program Agency (LPA) with a photo ID and a copy of their DCDEE license is required for identity verification. Detailed instructions and information are readily available under the “Providers” tab on the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) website, specifically within the “NC FAST” section.
Steps to Enroll in the Subsidized Child Care Program as a Provider
Navigating the enrollment process for the Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program involves a series of well-defined steps. Here’s a practical guide for child care providers looking to participate:
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Connect with Your County Child Care Contact: Your initial step should be to reach out to your County Child Care Contact. This local expert can provide you with detailed information about enrolling in the Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program specific to your county. It’s important to carefully review all the requirements of the Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program to ensure it aligns with your program’s capabilities and philosophy. There is no obligation to enroll if it does not seem like the right fit for your program.
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Obtain a Business NCID and Link it to NC FAST: To begin the formal enrollment, you will need to secure a Business NCID (North Carolina Identity Management System ID). Once you have this, it must be linked to your Provider record in NC FAST (North Carolina Families Accessing Services through Technology) by your County Department of Social Services (DSS) or LPA. After obtaining your Business NCID, contact your DSS/LPA and provide them with your NCID for linking. Once this link is established, you will gain access to the Provider Portal at http://providerportal.nc.gov.
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Complete Enrollment via the NC FAST Provider Portal: The final step is to log into the NC FAST Provider Portal and input all required information about your facility. This includes details such as shifts offered, operating days, and your private pay rates. After you have entered all the necessary information, an approval notice will be generated. This document officially informs the LPA that your program is eligible to receive state and federal subsidy funds for child care services. The approval notice contains critical information such as your approved payment rate, the age range of children you are approved to care for, your capacity, facility ID number, license number, and any changes in licensing status that the LPA needs to be aware of before processing payments. The Provider Agreement is signed electronically within the NC FAST Provider Portal using e-signature. After your initial enrollment, annual re-enrollment is required through the same portal. Both the Provider Agreement and Approval Notice PDFs are accessible within the NC FAST Provider Portal for your records.
It is also advisable to access and review the current county market rates for both Family Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers for 1-5 star licensed programs to understand the financial aspects of participating in the SCCA program.
Conclusion
Enrolling in the Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program is a significant step for North Carolina child care providers who wish to support low-income families in their community. By understanding the eligibility requirements and diligently following the enrollment steps, providers can successfully participate in the SCCA program, ensuring more children have access to quality early childhood education and care. For providers, this program represents an opportunity to broaden their impact while contributing to the well-being of families across North Carolina.
