(1) The department calculates provider rates based on market rate surveys required by the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014. A half-time day rate is calculated for five or less hours of care during a calendar day. A full-time day rate is calculated for more than five hours and up to 12 hours during a calendar day.

(2) Provider rates are listed on the Early Childhood Services Bureau website for each child care provider type.

(3) Child care authorization and corresponding authorization plans may authorize payment for extended care of more than 12 hours during a calendar day. When care is provided for more than 12 but less than 18 hours per day, the full-day rate multiplied by 1.25 will be paid. When the authorization and corresponding authorization plan specifies service exceeding 18 hours of care during a calendar day, the full-day rate multiplied by 1.5 will be paid.

(4) Providers are paid for actual attendance when the child is present if a child attends less than 85% of the authorized time listed on the authorization plan.

(5) Providers are paid the entire monthly amount listed on the authorization plan when a child attends at least 85% of the authorized time listed on the authorization plan.

(6) The provider rates in the Child Care Manual, section 1-4, are the maximum rates payable.

(7) The rate charged by a child care provider for children whose child care is paid for by the department cannot exceed the rate charged to private pay parents for the same service.

(8) The department has the discretion to adjust rates for children with special needs or disabilities.

(9) The department has the discretion to adjust rates for child care provided during non-traditional hours as defined in ARM 37.80.102.

(a) In order for an adjusted rate to be paid, the approved care must be provided for at least one hour between 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday or after 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday.

(10) The department will only pay a fee for registering a child in a child care facility if the registration fee is charged to all who enroll in the facility.

(a) The payment will not exceed thirty dollars.

(b) The fee will be available to registered family, registered group, and licensed child care centers.

(c) The fee must be listed on the monthly invoice the parent is charged.

(11) When child care is provided in the child's home by a provider who does not live with the child, the state payment will be made to the parent. The parent is responsible to pay the provider, and failure to do so will result in the parent's ineligibility for child care assistance until the provider has been paid in full or the parent has made arrangements for payment which are satisfactory to the provider.

(12) Child care facilities must notify the child care resource and referral agency when a child is absent without explanation for five consecutive working days unless the child has been attached to a different provider. If the provider fails to notify the child care resource and referral agency when a child is absent without explanation for five consecutive working days, the department is not required to pay for any care from the date the child last attended the facility.