HB 18-1335

HB 18-1335, also known as the County Child Care Assistance Program Block Grants bill, aims to improve child care assistance in Colorado by setting a standard federal poverty level of 185% for eligibility across all counties. The state department of human services will conduct annual studies to determine fair market rates for child care providers and allocate block grants to each county based on these rates and the number of eligible children. This bill, which has been signed into law, ensures that counties receive funding tailored to their specific needs and helps streamline eligibility criteria for families seeking assistance through CCCAP (Colorado Child Care Assistance Program).

Official Summary

Joint Budget Committee. For providers under the Colorado child care assistance program (CCCAP), the bill requires the state department of human services (department), in consultation with the counties, annually to contract for a market rate study of provider rates for each county. Based on the market rate study and each county's percentage of the total number of children eligible to participate in CCCAP, the department establishes the amount of each county's block grant. The bill allows the department to adjust a county's block grant amount based upon rules promulgated by the department. Under current law, a county is permitted to determine the percentage of the federal poverty level for eligibility in CCCAP for that county. The bill sets the federal poverty level for all counties at 185% but allows the state board of human services to adjust the percentage by rule if required by federal law. The bill adjusts certain periods of eligibility and removes references to preconditions that have been previously met. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More

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