Highly rated child care and early education programs participating in Parent Aware Ratings are eligible for higher rates for quality:

Providers may be accredited by an approved organization or hold an approved credential and have a Three- or Four-Star Parent Aware Rating. See Chapter 9.24.9 (Higher Rates for Quality – Accreditation/Credential).

See Chapter 9.24.3 (Child Care Rates, Registration Fees, Copayments) for links to the maximum rates tables.

Effective date of higher rates for quality

CCAP agencies cannot enter or update Parent Aware Ratings. If a provider reports that they have a Parent Aware Rating that is not reflected in MEC², contact the DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team using the CCAP Provider Communications Form on SIR selecting the “Question about provider information” drop down in the form.

Initial Parent Aware Rating

For providers that obtain a Three or Four-Star Parent Aware Rating, the effective date of the higher rate is the Monday following the week that the Parent Aware Rating is awarded. When a rating is changed through reconsideration, the effective date of the higher rate is the Monday following the week that the Parent Aware Rating reconsideration is approved. The rating interfaces into MEC² in an overnight batch process on Saturday and is effective the following Monday.

Subsequent Parent Aware Ratings

Providers must be re-rated every two years. Typically, Parent Aware rate renewals are issued by January 1st and July 1st of each year. MEC2 is unable to determine whether a provider is in the process of re-rating. This means that when a provider is renewing their rating, the provider may get a notice that their higher rate for quality is ending. When a new rating is awarded, MEC² will update in the overnight batch process and new Service Authorizations will generate with a higher rate for quality if the provider continues to be eligible.

When providers obtain a Three or Four-Star Parent Aware re-rating, the effective date of the higher rate is the date that the awarded rating begins. When there is no break between the prior rating period and the re-rating period, the provider remains eligible for the higher rate continuously.

If a provider reports a gap in receiving the higher rate, refer them to the DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team at ccap.providers.dcyf@state.mn.us or 651-431-4848 for assistance or notify the DCYF CCAP Provider Support Team using the CCAP Provider Communications Form on SIR selecting the “Question about provider information” drop down in the form..

Terminated Parent Aware Ratings

When a rating period ends and no new rating has been updated, MEC² will send the provider a notice indicating that they are no longer eligible to receive the higher rate allowing for a 15-day notice of adverse action.

In some cases, Parent Aware may revoke a provider’s Parent Aware rating before the end date. When this happens, MEC² will update in the overnight batch process and send a 15-day notice of adverse action.

MEC² will send a notice:

Legal authority

Minnesota Statutes 142E.17, subd. 5