RCOE Provider Payments
Monthly Updates- January 2023
Dear Providers,
Happy New Year! We sincerely hope that you are off to a wonderful start to 2023, and we look forward to continuing to serve each and every one of you. Please take time to review our reminders and changes on this month's SMORE. We would also like to invite you to take advantage of the programs and trainings offered, which can be located at the end of this newsletter.
As the rain continues to fall this winter, please be safe and stay warm!
California Department of Social Services Reminders
- School-age Reimbursement Guidelines: For children attending in-person instruction or attending private academic instruction at the child care site - Reimbursing providers during the hours of a child's "scheduled instructional minutes" is prohibited. Providers will only be reimbursed for child care provided during non-school hours (before/after school care) [CCB 21-14]
- Parent signatures on DSSRs: Between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, providers were not required to collect signatures on DSSRs when a family was absent due to COVID-19-related reasons. Effective July 1, 2022, providers are required to resume collecting signatures on DSSRs. Attestations will no longer be accepted in place of a parent's signature.
- Paid Non-Operational Days for COVID-19 Related Closures: Effective September 27, 2022, through June 30, 2023, all CAPP, Stage One, C2AP, C3AP, CFCC, CMAP, and Foster Bridge Program counties and contractors are eligible for reimbursement for up to 16 nonoperational closure days, provided the closures are related to the need for the providers to self-quarantine or self-isolate in accordance with local public health department COVID-19 recommendations
- Reimbursement: Providers will continue to be reimbursed based on the maximum certified hours of care instead of attendance. Please note that absence reasons will still be required whenever a child does not attend and is authorized to do so. Payment will continue to be issued based on the regional market rate or the provider rate, whichever is less.
Closure List (Avoid Reimbursement Delays)
COVID-19 Related Closure Reminders
- Providers must mark on their attendance invoices any closure days they wish to claim when they were closed for COVID-19 self-quarantine/isolation. Reimbursements shall be made to an alternate provider, when applicable.
- The 16 paid nonoperational days are available for both licensed and license-exempt providers (including in-home license-exempt providers) of the CAPP, C2AP, C3AP, and Bridge Program. These days do not need to be used consecutively.
- These sixteen (16) COVID-19-related paid nonoperational days are in addition to the ten (10) paid nonoperational days allowed to eligible providers under 5 CCR Sections 18076.2 and 18074.
Child Care Bulletin No. 22-29 - https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/Additional-Resources/Letters-and-Notices/CCBs/2022/CCB_22-29.pdf?ver=2022-10-17-111325-900
Public Health Department COVID-19 recommendations - COVID-19 Guidance for Child Care Providers and Programs
Information Update Request
It is that time of year again when Resource & Referral (R&R) is requesting updated information from child care programs. The information in the R&R referral database is what is shared with families searching for child care in their area. It is essential that you have the most up-to-date information in the system so you can fill your child care slots. In addition, the local R&R referral database is bridged with the statewide mychildcareplan.org database allowing more marketing for your programs. Please contact R&R at (951) 826-6626 or (800)442-4927 or RandR@rcoe.us to get the Provider Update Form for your child care facility, so you can provide us with your current information. For family child care home providers, please note that your home address will not be shared on the R&R or mychildcareplan.org databases.
New Construction and Major Renovation (CCB 22-35 )
Extension of Family Fee Waiver
Family fees will be waived from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, for all families receiving subsidized child care services through the Riverside County Office of Education, Early Care and Education (ECE).
State Family Fees will continue to appear on Child Care Certificates for state reporting purposes, but no State Family Fees are to be paid for services from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. The full reimbursement will be provided to the provider through ECE. Should you have any questions, please email our office at RandR@rcoe.us, or call 800-442-4927. Thank you!
Child Care Bulletin No. 22-14 - CCB No. 22-14 (ca.gov)
Attendance Reminders
- Per the California Department of Social Services, agencies must process DSSRs within 21 calendar days from the date they are received without errors. Incomplete DSSRs will delay reimbursement processing. Typical errors include but are not limited to the following: no absence reason listed, missing parent or provider signature, a missing month of service, missing time in/out, or predated signatures.
- Parents and providers are required to notify Early Care and Education (ECE) whenever a child is absent for (7) consecutive days with or without notice to the provider. [Title 5, § 18066.5]
- Actual attendance is to be consistent with the authorized services. Excessive absences can be considered abandonment of services and may result in termination from the ECE program. Excessive absences are absences totaling 30 consecutive days. [Title 5, § 18066.5]
To ensure your DSSRs are being submitted correctly, please view the video below.
Provider Orientations
For further details, please review the flyer below.
Virtual Provider Orientation (English)
Wednesday, Feb 22, 2023, 06:00 PM
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Virtual Provider Orientation (Spanish)
Wednesday, Feb 22, 2023, 12:30 PM
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Resources
If you know of any families that may be looking for child care, please share the link or application to our Eligibility List (EL) below. The EL is a listing of families in Riverside County that may be interested in receiving subsidized child care and development services.
For any questions regarding the Eligibility List, please contact our Resource and Referral office at
800-442-4927 or RandR@rcoe.us
For the online application click here: https://secureweb.rcoe.us/RCOE_ELIST/Start/Register
To download the application please refer to the attachments below.
To access our Participant Handbook Click Here:
https://www.rcoe.us/home/showpublisheddocument/3798/637876983537270000
Passport Professional Development Program
Resource & Referral (R&R) is excited to offer professional development opportunities for Riverside County early educators! We are currently offering the Passport to Success and Passport to Quality professional development programs. These programs are designed to provide training and support to early care and education professionals. Both Passports are open to anyone wanting to start a child care business, family child care home providers, child care center staff and administrators, and anyone working with children.
For more information or to register, click here:
Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP)
If you are interested in becoming a child care provider or expanding your child care business, we are here to help. We offer free training, resources, and community connections to help you succeed. We will be having two upcoming CCIP sessions in both English and Spanish. The English session will be offered in January 2023, and the Spanish session will be offered February 2023.
If you are interested in attending any of these classes, please contact Resource and Referral at randr@rcoe.us
For more information, please refer to the attachment below.
Trauma Informed Care Training
We offer Trauma-Informed Care trainings that we would love for you to participate in! These trainings are particularly geared towards the 0-5 population who may have experienced trauma. If you are interested, we can enroll you in our next virtual trainings at no cost. We also offer one-on-one coaching that can assist you with any challenges you may be experiencing with the children in your care.
Please refer to the attached flyers for additional information.
Early Education Services Virtual Wellness Center
The RCOE/EES Wellness Center is a place for students, staff, and families, to find resources and tools in order to practice strategies for coping during challenging times.
To access the virtual wellness center, click here:
https://sites.google.com/rcoe.us/rcoevirtualwellnesscenter/early-education-services
Please take some time for yourself to enjoy, explore and relax!
Exceptional Service Standard
RCOE expects that all child care providers, as independent contractors with the agency, will treat potential and existing clients, families, and children with dignity, respect, and extraordinary customer service. As a provider working with RCOE through the child care referral list and/or subsidized child care program, it is vital that extraordinary customer service and professionalism are extended during all interactions on the phone, via email, on social media, and/or in person. The partnership between the provider community and RCOE is critical to serving the communities of Riverside County and ensuring the needs of children and families are being met. Extraordinary customer service is essential to the success of these services.