WSR 05-17-192

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)

[ Filed August 24, 2005, 9:38 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 05-13-175.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 388-290 WAC, Working connections child care, amending WAC 388-290-0180, 388-290-0190, 388-290-0200, and 388-290-0205; and repealing WAC 388-290-0250.

     Hearing Location(s): Blake Office Park East, Rose Room (one block north of the intersection of Pacific Avenue S.E. and Alhadeff Lane, behind Goodyear Tire. A map or directions are available at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rapu/docket.html or by calling (360) 664-6097), 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503, on September 27, 2005, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than September 28, 2005.

     Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, delivery 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503, e-mail fernaax@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5:00 p.m., September 27, 2005.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Stephanie Schiller, DSHS Rules Consultant, by September 23, 2005, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6097 or by e-mail at schilse@dshs.wa.gov.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The department is revising the rules to change reimbursements paid to licensed providers. The rules will:

Increase reimbursement rates for licensed/certified providers and DSHS contracted seasonal day camps; and
Repeal the payment of the infant bonus.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: The department is revising these rules to use money allocated by the 2005 legislature to increase provider rates. The source of funds for the infant bonus can no longer support this payment.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.12.340, and 74.13.085.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.050, 74.12.340, 74.13.085 and ESSB 6090 (section 207(3), chapter 518, Laws of 2005).

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Department of Social and Health Services, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Lisa Lind, Division of Child Care and Early Learning, (360) 725-4691.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. ESA has determined the proposed rules do not have more than a minor economic impact on businesses. The proposed rules increase rates to all licensed providers.

     A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Lisa Lind, 1009 College Street S.E., P.O. Box 45480, Olympia, WA 98504-5840, phone (360) 725-4691, fax (360) 413-3482, e-mail lindlm@dshs.wa.gov.

August 22, 2005

Andy Fernando, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

3433.5
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 04-08-021 and 04-08-134, filed 3/29/04 and 4/7/04, effective 5/28/04)

WAC 388-290-0180   When are the WCCC program subsidy rates in this chapter effective?   DSHS child care subsidy rates in this chapter are effective on or after ((January 1, 2002)) November 1, 2005.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.12.340, 74.13.085, and 2003 1st sp.s. c 25. 04-08-021 and 04-08-134, § 388-290-0180, filed 3/29/04 and 4/7/04, effective 5/28/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050 and C.F.R. Parts 98 and 99 (Child Care Development Fund Rules). 02-01-135, § 388-290-0180, filed 12/19/01, effective 1/19/02.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 04-08-021 and 04-08-134, filed 3/29/04 and 4/7/04, effective 5/28/04)

WAC 388-290-0190   What does the WCCC program pay for and when can the program pay more?   (1) We may pay for:

     (a) Basic child care hours, either full day, half day or hourly. We authorize:

     (i) Full day child care to licensed or certified facilities and DSHS contracted seasonal day camps when your children need care for five or more hours per day;

     (ii) Half day child care to licensed or certified facilities and DSHS contracted seasonal day camps when your children need care for less than five hours per day; and

     (iii) Hourly child care for in-home/relative child care.

     (b) A registration fee (under WAC 388-290-0245);

     (c) A field trip fee (under WAC 388-290-0245); and

     (d) ((An infant bonus (under WAC 388-290-0250); and

     (e))) Special needs care when the child has a documented need for higher level of care (under WAC 388-290-0220, 388-290-0225, 388-290-0230, and 388-290-0235).

     (2) If care is not available within a reasonable distance at our daily rate, then we authorize the provider's usual daily rate.

     (3) If care is over ten hours per day, and the provider's policy is to charge for these extra hours, then we authorize an additional amount of care.

     (((4) Refer to WAC 388-290-0270, 388-290-0271, and 388-290-0273 for when overpayments can be assessed to you or your provider.))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.12.340, 74.13.085, and 2003 1st sp.s. c 25. 04-08-021 and 04-08-134, § 388-290-0190, filed 3/29/04 and 4/7/04, effective 5/28/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.13.085. 02-12-069, § 388-290-0190, filed 5/31/02, effective 7/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050 and C.F.R. Parts 98 and 99 (Child Care Development Fund Rules). 02-01-135, § 388-290-0190, filed 12/19/01, effective 1/19/02.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 04-08-021 [and 04-08-134], filed 3/29/04 [and 4/7/04], effective 5/28/04)

WAC 388-290-0200   What daily rates does DSHS pay for child care in a licensed or certified child care center or DSHS contracted seasonal day camps?   (1) We pay the lesser of the following to a licensed or certified child care center or DSHS contracted seasonal day camp:

     (a) The provider's usual daily rate for that child; or

     (b) The DSHS maximum child care subsidy daily rate for that child as listed in the following table:


Infants

(One month - 11 mos.)

Toddlers

(12 - 29 mos.)

Preschool

(30 mos. - 5 yrs)

School-age (5 - 12 yrs)
Region 1 Full-Day

Half-Day

$((24.32)) 25.89

$((12.16)) 12.95

$((20.45)) 21.77

$((10.23)) 10.89

$((19.32)) 20.57

$((9.66)) 10.29

$((18.18)) 19.36

$((9.09)) 9.68

Spokane County Full-Day

Half-Day

$26.48

$13.25

$22.27

$11.14

$21.04

$10.53

$19.80

$9.90

Region 2 Full-Day

Half-Day

$((24.55)) 26.14

$((12.27)) 13.07

$((20.50)) 21.83

$((10.25)) 10.92

$((19.00)) 20.23

$((9.50)) 10.12

$((16.82)) 17.91

$((8.41)) 8.96

Region 3 Full-Day

Half-Day

$((32.50)) 34.60

$((16.25)) 17.30

$((27.09)) 28.84

$((13.55)) 14.42

$((23.41)) 24.92

$((11.70)) 12.46

$((22.73)) 24.20

$((11.36)) 12.10

Region 4 Full-Day

Half-Day

$((37.82)) 40.27

$((18.91)) 20.14

$((31.59)) 33.63

$((15.80)) 16.82

$((26.50)) 28.21

$((13.25)) 14.11

$((23.86)) 25.40

$((11.93)) 12.70

Region 5 Full-Day

Half-Day

$((27.73)) 29.52

$((13.86)) 14.76

$((23.86)) 25.40

$((11.93)) 12.70

$((21.00)) 22.36

$((10.50)) 11.18

$((18.64)) 19.85

$((9.32)) 9.93

Region 6 Full-Day

Half-Day

$((27.27)) 29.03

$((13.64)) 14.52

$((23.41)) 24.92

$((11.70)) 12.46

$((20.45)) 21.77

$((10.23)) 10.89

$((20.00)) 21.29

$((10.00)) 10.65


     (2) The child care center WAC 388-295-0010 allows providers to care for children from one month up to and including the day before their thirteenth birthday. The provider must obtain a child-specific and time-limited waiver from their child care licensor in order for a child care center to provide care for a thirteen-year-old or older child.

     (3) If the center provider cares for a child who is thirteen or older, the provider must have a child-specific and time-limited waiver and the child must meet the special needs requirement according to WAC 388-290-0220.

     (4) Rates for Spokane County are subject to special funding allocated by the Legislature in the state operating budget. If the special funds are not allocated Region 1 rates apply to Spokane County.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.12.340, 74.13.085, and 2003 1st sp.s. c 25. 04-08-021, § 388-290-0200, filed 3/29/04, effective 5/28/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.13.085. 02-12-069, § 388-290-0200, filed 5/31/02, effective 7/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050 and C.F.R. Parts 98 and 99 (Child Care Development Fund Rules). 02-01-135, § 388-290-0200, filed 12/19/01, effective 1/19/02.]

     Reviser's note: The bracketed material preceding the section above was supplied by the code reviser's office.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 04-08-021 [and 04-08-134], filed 3/29/04 [and 4/7/04], effective 5/28/04)

WAC 388-290-0205   What daily rates does DSHS pay for child care in a licensed or certified family home child care?   (1) We pay the lesser of the following to a licensed or certified family home child care:

     (a) The provider's usual daily rate for that child; or

     (b) The DSHS maximum child care subsidy daily rate for that child as listed in the following table.


Infants

(Birth - 11 mos.)

Toddlers

(12 - 29 mos.)

Preschool

(30 mos. - 5 yrs)

School-age (5 - 11 yrs)
Region 1 Full-Day

Half-Day

$((20.00)) 21.29

$((10.00)) 10.65

$((18.00)) 19.16

$((9.00)) 9.58

$((18.00)) 19.16

$((9.00)) 9.58

$((16.00)) 17.04

$((8.00)) 8.52

Spokane County Full-Day

Half-Day

$21.78

$10.89

$19.60

$9.80

$19.60

$9.80

$17.43

$8.71

Region 2 Full-Day

Half-Day

$((20.00)) 21.29

$((10.00)) 10.65

$((19.00)) 20.23

$((9.50)) 10.12

$((17.00)) 18.10

$((8.50))

9.05

$((17.00)) 18.10

$((8.50))

9.05

Region 3 Full-Day

Half-Day

$((29.00)) 30.88

$((14.50)) 15.44

$((25.00)) 26.62

$((12.50)) 13.31

$((22.00)) 23.42

$((11.00)) 11.71

$((20.00)) 21.29

$((10.00)) 10.65

Region 4 Full-Day

Half-Day

$((30.00)) 31.94

$((15.00)) 15.97

$((29.67)) 31.59

$((14.83)) 15.80

$((25.00)) 26.62

$((12.50)) 13.31

$((24.00)) 25.55

$((12.00)) 12.78

Region 5 Full-Day

Half-Day

$((22.00)) 23.42

$((11.00)) 11.71

$((20.00)) 21.29

$((10.00)) 10.65

$((19.00)) 20.23

$((9.50)) 10.12

$((17.00)) 18.10

$((8.50)) 9.05

Region 6 Full-Day

Half-Day

$((22.00)) 23.42

$((11.00)) 11.71

$((20.00)) 21.29

$((10.00)) 10.65

$((20.00)) 21.29

$((10.00)) 10.65

$((19.00)) 20.23

$((9.50)) 10.12


     (2) The family home child care WAC 388-155-010 allows providers to care for children from birth up to and including the day before their twelfth birthday. In order for a family home provider to care for a twelve-year-old or older child, the provider must obtain a child-specific and time-limited waiver from their child care licensor. If the provider has a waiver to care for a child who has reached their twelfth birthday, the payment rate is the same as subsection (1) and the five to eleven year age range column is used for comparison.

     (3) If the family home provider cares for a child who is thirteen or older, the provider must have a child-specific and time-limited waiver and the child must meet the special needs requirement according to WAC 388-290-0220.

     (4) We pay family home child care providers at the licensed home rate regardless of their relation to the children (with the exception listed in subsection (5) of this section). Refer to subsection (1) and the five to eleven year age range column for comparisons.

     (5) We cannot pay family home child care providers to provide care for children in their care if the provider is:

     (a) The child's biological, adoptive or step-parent;

     (b) The child's nonneedy or needy relative or that relative's spouse or live-in partner;

     (c) The child's legal guardian or the guardian's spouse or live-in partner; or

     (d) Another adult acting in loco parentis or that adult's spouse or live-in partner.

     (6) Rates for Spokane County are subject to special funding allocated by the Legislature in the state operating budget. If the special funds are not allocated Region 1 rates apply to Spokane County.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.12.340, 74.13.085, and 2003 1st sp.s. c 25. 04-08-021, § 388-290-0205, filed 3/29/04, effective 5/28/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.13.085. 02-12-069, § 388-290-0205, filed 5/31/02, effective 7/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050 and C.F.R. Parts 98 and 99 (Child Care Development Fund Rules). 02-01-135, § 388-290-0205, filed 12/19/01, effective 1/19/02.]

     Reviser's note: The bracketed material preceding the section above was supplied by the code reviser's office.
REPEALER

     The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 388-290-0250 When can WCCC pay a bonus for enrolling an infant?

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office