Section 148-6-6 - PARENT FEE AND COSTSA. All Parents will be assessed, and a Parent Fee will be determined by the number of individuals in the Family, the Gross Income or Allowable Net Income, and Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) level of program. The Parent Fee does not vary with the number of Children receiving Child Care Services, the amount of Child Care Services they need, or the type of Child Care Services the Parent chooses to use.1. All Parents will be notified by the Department of the amount of the Parent Fee and associated payment terms. All Parent Fees will be paid directly to the Child Care Provider by the Parent or another party acting on behalf of the Parent, for the full period his/her Child(ren) is/are enrolled and receiving Child Care Subsidy.2. Parents choosing a Provider at the second highest QRIS level will receive a ten percent (10%) reduction in their Parent Fee determination. Parents choosing a Provider at the highest QRIS level will receive a twenty percent (20%) reduction in their Parent Fee determination. 3. Under no circumstances will the Department use State or federal funds to pay the Parent Fee.B. The total amount of the Parent Fee assessed cannot exceed ten percent (10%) of the Family's Gross Income or Allowable Net Income.C. The Department will use the Federal Poverty Guidelines to establish incremental ranges of income within the maximum allowed by CCDF rules and update annually in accordance with changes in the Federal Poverty Guidelines.D. A graduated fee percentage of Gross Income or Allowable Net Income will be applied to each of the income ranges as follows: Federal Poverty Guidelines | Fee Percentage of Gross Income or Allowable Net Income |
Up to 25% | 2% |
26% - 50% | 4% |
51% - 75% | 5% |
76% - 100% | 6% |
101% - 125% | 8% |
126% - 150% | 9% |
151% - Maximum Allowed | 10% |
E. A Parent Fee can be adjusted between re-determinations only: 1. If the Gross Income or Allowable Net Income decreases;2. To correct an error in the prior calculation; or3. To reinstate a Parent Fee that has been lowered (cannot be increased to more than the initial Parent Fee).F. When the Parent Fee is adjusted, an updated Award Letter will be sent to the Parent and Child Care Provider.G. Neither the Department nor the Child Care Provider has the authority to waive the Parent Fee.H. The Child Care Provider will collect the Parent Fee portion of the payment from the Parent on a weekly basis, as agreed to in the Provider Agreement.I. If the Parent owes a Child Care Provider a Parent Fee(s) for any of the twelve (12) days of required notification, the Department may rescind the Award Letter until paid in full or a payment schedule is agreed upon by the Child Care Provider and the Parent. If the Parent defaults on said payment arrangements, the Department shall terminate the Parent's Child Care Subsidy.J. The Parent is solely responsible for transportation fees, late pickup fees, and other fees incurred by the Child to access Child Care Services.