08/21/2024
For families on ICCP: please read a message from health and welfare. If there is any questions I can answer as a provider please don’t hesitate to ask!
We wanted to make you aware of a critical update about the Idaho Child Care Program that is important for you, and the communities and families you support.
Effective Thursday, August 22,2024, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) will implement a temporary enrollment pause for the Idaho Child Care Program. During this pause, only a few groups of vulnerable populations will be able to enroll. What this means is that new applications for the program will not be approved until the pause is lifted, with the exception of families experiencing homelessness, families caring for a child with a disability, foster families, families receiving Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho (TAFI), and families receiving preventative services through Child Welfare.
Benefits for current ICCP families are not affected by the enrollment pause and will remain as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria. If a new child is added to household, they can be enrolled in ICCP as long the household continues to meet the eligibility criteria and benefits are active.
We do not have an end date for the pause at this time, but we are committed to keeping everyone informed as soon as more information becomes available.
What are other impacts you should expect
After the pause is lifted, additional adjustments will be necessary to ensure the program remains stable and continues to support families. Participants, providers, and contractors all contribute to maintaining a sustainable program.
The provider rate update, based on the local market rate (LMR) survey, will be implemented July 1, 2025, in the state new fiscal year, instead of October 2024.
When the provider rate takes effect July 2025, payments will be set at the 65th percentile of 2024 LMR survey rates for all age groups.
The program’s family income limit will be lowered to the pre-pandemic rate of 130% of the federal poverty level (FPL) for new customers. A phase-out plan for re-evaluating customers is still to be determined.
Our IdahoSTARS partner has identified funds they can reduce in our contract to support the program’s efforts this fiscal year.
Why this is happening
DHW policy decisions in recent years about program administration, along with a rise in the number of people needing child care and an increase in the cost of child care, have made it essential to temporarily pause enrollment to maintain a sustainable program. While we understand how important quality child care is for families, and the importance of ICCP for child care businesses, this pause helps ensure the program remains sustainable and continues to support those who need it most. This step is crucial for maintaining support for Idaho families and child care providers.
What you can do to support families
It is more important than ever for families receiving ICCP to report any changes and complete re-evaluations when they are due. We’re asking child care providers and partners to encourage our shared customers to watch for important notices from IDHW. These notices will direct them to contact us to complete a re-evaluation and update any changes to their contact information.
If their contact information has changed, or they want to confirm their current information, they may contact IDHW at 1-877-456-1233 or via email at [email protected].
What IDHW is doing for customers
On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, IDHW is mailing letters to each household currently enrolled in ICCP, letting them know about the temporary enrollment pause and that no action is needed at this time. Customers will be informed of any coming changes in their eligibility or benefits, as well as notices and texts when they need to complete a re-evaluation.
For questions, please email [email protected].
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