Children’s Division

Child Care Provider Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is a registered provider?
    • A registered child care provider is a provider that has successfully completed a Registration Payment Agreement with the Department of Social Services to provide child care to subsidy eligible children. A registered provider does not include a provider that is licensed as a child care provider through the Department of Health and Senior Service, Section for Child Care Regulation.
  2. What is a contracted provider?
    • A contracted child care provider is a provider who is licensed to provide child care by the Department of Health and Senior Services, Section for Child Care Regulation.
  3. What is a sliding fee?
    • The sliding fee is the portion of the child care expense that a family is responsible to pay directly to their child care provider. The amount of the sliding fee is based on the household’s size and gross monthly income. The sliding fee is waived for children that meet the definition of "special needs."
  4. What is a copayment?
    • A copayment is the portion of a provider’s actual charge that is over and above the amount reimbursed by the Child Care Subsidy Program and the families sliding fee. It is the household’s responsibility to negotiate this charge with the child care provider.

      • NOTE: A provider cannot charge a co-payment for Protective Services Child Care.

  5. What do I do if I have a payment issue?
    • Anytime a provider has an issue with a payment or lack of payment, they will need to submit a Child Care Provider Payment Resolution Request (CD-147) form. The Child Care Provider Payment Resolution Request form can be requested from the Child Care Provider Relations Unit (CCPRU), the local Family Support Division (FSD) office, or can be obtained online at http://dss.mo.gov/cd/info/forms/. The provider will need to submit the request with their attendance records and the reason a review is being requested.