QUALIFYING FOR "CHILDREN FIRST" ASSISTANCE

HERE'S HOW TO GET STARTED:

Child Care Providers contact our office, we send a check list of items you may need to complete the sign up (often times we help provide item’s needed).  Then a fire and health inspection for your home is set up and completed.  Children First will then come to your home and complete the sign up (must pass fingerprint clearance card or have one). During the sign up you are provided with and trained on how to complete the menu’s along with the regulations (you are paid according to how many children you care for and what meals you provide). Our staff will also fingerprint you, the Child Care Provider.  We provide cash reimbursement to Child Care Providers for meals served to children in their care.

WHAT IS EXPECTED NEXT:

You will be required to:

Keep menu’s up to date

1. 3 reviews a year on home during Child Care hours.

2. Yearly Fire and Heath Inspection or keep current DES/DHS certification.

3. Attend a fun yearly training for 2 hours, in your local area or have training hours approved from another source.

4. Current Fingerprint clearance card.

Also providers are required to have a sign in/out sheet required on all children. We will honor DES or DHS sign in/out sheets or provide you with some.

APPROVAL/ELIGIBILITY:

Even part-time Child Care providers are eligible including grandparents caring for grandchildren. 

Friends, do you care for your children’s friends or even your friend’s children?  You too are eligible!

There are three ways to become eligible for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP):

1. Certification by the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES)

2. The Arizona Department of Health Service (DHS)

3. The Alternate Approval (AA) method, AA method requires Fire and Health Inspection on home form local agency.

The ADE sent out a letter dated December 4th, 2007 explaining that AA homes will be permitted in Arizona provided a current fire and health inspection is completed on the home.  This is good news for all homes wishing to stay AA instead of becoming DES or DHS. This is a win-win for all, especially for the children this program will grant access to by allowing the AA home process.

Funding $$ assistance in getting started as certified Child Care home Niño’s en Mi Casa:

The Niño’s en Mi Casa (Children in My Home) is free assistance. A program that recruits, trains, and offers financial assistance to low to moderate level income individuals to start a child care business in their home and complete state certification. Certification is provided through the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) or Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS).

Niño’s en Mi Casa can be reached at:

800-222-3574 (Toll Free)   

or http://www.asccaz.org/1_ninos.html

Mis Hijos:

The “Mis Hijos/My Kids” Child Care Provider Recruitment Program is free assistance developed to assist people in becoming quality Child Care Providers. Mis Hijos will help with all the details of becoming a DES certified Child Care Provider.

Mis Hijos can be reached at:

(520) 836-5221 or (520) 836-5251

CCRR:

Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) is a statewide program that provides free assistance to families, child care providers, and the community. CCRR can help you with resources such as CPR classes and other great Child Care information.

CCRR  can be reached at:

1-800-308-9000 (Toll Free)

or  Arizona CCR&R Contact Us

Who is DES Child Care and how do I sign up (Many cases you will be referred to the above Ninos en Mi Casa or Mis Hijos)?

DES-Department of Economic Security, Child Care. Remember you all already doing most of the requirements needed. The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) regulates and monitors some residential providers. These are called DES Certified Family Child Care Homes. They may care for no more than 4 children at one time for compensation. They may care for up to 6 children total; including the provider’s own children. They may care for no more than 2 children under one year old. DES Certified home providers have an Arizona Child Protective Services (CPS) clearance. They are fingerprinted for a criminal background check. They have provided proof of current training in CPR and First Aid. They have their homes inspected for a wide variety of health and safety standards.  This is something you can do!

• Complete an application
• Be 18 years of age or older;
• Attend orientation;
• Be fingerprinted and have all adults over 18 in the household fingerprinted;
• Have your home inspected;
• Provide proof of citizenship;
• Provide a health clearance;
• Become certified in CPR and First Aid;
• Provide three personal references.

This website will access many of the forms necessary to start your certification process. http://www.de.state.az.us/childcare/default.asp

Who is DHS Group Home Child Care and how do I sign up?

DHS-Department of Health Services, Group Home.  DHS regulates and monitors both residential and non-residential settings. Child care providers who care for children in their homes can care for up to 10 children for compensation in a DHS Certified Group Home. Non-residential sites require a license from DHS as well. As a group, these are known as DHS Licensed Child Care Centers. Some Child Care centers identify themselves as preschools or school age programs. However, the rules and regulations for all centers are identical. The total number of children allowed is based on the physical facility. DHS centers and group homes staff are fingerprinted for a criminal background check. At all times, they have at least one staff present that has current training in CPR and First Aid.

The DHS license process is more than you will be used to, but nothing worth achieving comes at no cost. Keep your head up, you can do this! The application process is more detailed, and for some very worth it. DHS homes can claim 10 children for compensation on the CACFP, with still an additional 5 children in care that are non-compensated.

To receive DHS sign up packet go to:

http://www.azdhs.gov/als/childcare/index.htm

or call:  1-800-615-8555 (Toll Free)

Note:  Also refer to Fire and Health Inspection check list, see "Safety First" on this site.

ETHICS:

The Code of Ethics was developed to encourage unity and cooperation among providers.  Child care providers are expected to: Promote good health and well being. Comply with regulations and policies. Maintain confidentiality. Strive for a positive professional image.  Remain positive, professional, honest, caring and fair during child care hours.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status.  (Not all prohibited basis apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET CENTER at (202 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

HOW MANY CHILDREN CAN BE IN YOUR CARE:

Ratio/Over-Ratio (Arizona Child Care-Ratio)

The maximum number of children you may have in your care at one time is six, including your own children less than 13 years of age.  You may claim and receive compensation (pay from parent) for four of the six children.  Up to two of the six children may be under the age of one. The exception is DHS certified homes.

WHAT TO HAVE READY FOR IN-HOUSE REVIEW:

Your home will be visited at least three times a year (about once every 4 months) Two of these reviews will be unannounced and one review will be done during evening or weekend “if you claim meals during evening or weekend.”

Evening is considered after 5 p.m. and weekend is considered Saturday or Sunday. The average review will last about 20 minutes.  A staff member for Children First, Arizona Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs or the USDA will do the review.  You have the right to ask for identification.  The review will be done during child care hours. 

SUCCESSFUL AND UN-SUCCESSFUL REVIEW:

A review is considered successful when:

1. Provider is available.

2. Day care children are present and meal is observed. 

3. Review is reasonable when compared to regular claim.

A review is considered un-successful when any one of the following takes place:

1. Provider is not available (not home).

2. Day care children are not present.

3. Review is not reasonable when compared to regular claim. 

Sign in/out sheets must be current on all children (that is one per child) available at reviews.

SPECIAL TAX FORMS:

The IRS provides tax forms for Child Care providers.  Consult a tax accountant for details or go to your local library.  You may also call 1-800-TAX-FORM to receive the forms and publications.