On September 10, 2009, the Joint Fiscal Committee unanimously approved of the plan put forward for restructuring the Child Care Financial Assistance Program. The Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR) will meet in early October to give final approval to changing the fee scale from the 2000 Federal Poverty Level to 2009. We are assuming that change will be approved, so are now fully engaged in planning for implementation, effective January 3, 2010.

We want to thank all those providers, parents, and child advocates who have supported the development of the proposal and who have encouraged adoption of this plan.

Over the next month, we will finalize the implementation plan. We are committed to excellent communication during this period to be certain that everyone affected knows how the new system will work and how to address questions and issues. We will complete the design of the “Strengthening Families Grants” by the end of this month, so that funds will be available to recipients by January.

We are very excited about this opportunity to strengthen the early childhood system for the benefit of Vermont’s children and their families.

Click here for the announcement from Commissioner, Steve Dale, about these exciting changes.

Final proposed plan for restructuring as was approved by the Joint Fiscal Committee.

Schedule of local community meetings about the changes to the Financial Assistance Program.

New Fee Scale
Child Care Provider Rate Structure effective 1/3/2010

Strengthening Families Grant
Eligible applicants for the first round of limited funding (up to $1.5 million in SFY 2010 and 2011) beginning January 2010 are licensed center based programs that are currently receiving reserved spaces and/or infant-toddler enhancement grants. This new program is intended as an on-going support for community child care programs from CDD and will evolve in accord with identified needs in Vermont. Future funding periods beginning after July 2011 will be open to other licensed programs.