CCAIR Frequently Asked Questions for Parents
An Emergency population is designated in order to address the need of emergency personnel during declared disaster and emergency conditions. In response to COVID-19, the following employment conditions are required for an emergency certificate:
- public safety and first responders
- law enforcement
- fire prevention and response
- emergency medical technicians (EMTs)
- 911 call center personnel
- Nurses, technicians, receptionists, food service employees, and sanitation service employees working in hospitals, clinics, and medical offices providing health treatment
- research and laboratory operations
- nursing homes
- residential health care facilities
- congregate care facilities
- assisted living facilities
- elder care
- medical wholesale and distribution
- home health workers and aides
- medical supply and equipment manufacturers and providers
- medical waste disposal
- hazardous waste disposal
- repair technicians providing in-home repair services
- social workers and mental health workers providing in-person services
- other ancillary healthcare services on a case by case basis
- employees with regular direct customer contact in the following job roles:
- teaching, food preparation, sanitation, and reception staff within childcare facilities and schools
- cashiers, servers, meal delivery drivers, and bartenders within food service locations
- cashiers, and those responsible for bagging, filling, and delivering customer orders within grocery stores
- cashiers in retail stores, i.e. department stores, dollar stores, drug stores, and gas stations
- sanitation workers
- bank tellers and public service clerks (DMV, Department of Health, Tax Assessor, Court Clerks, County Clerks)
- staff in hair, nail, tanning salons, spas, and fitness clubs
- staff in veterinary offices,
- Health and City Inspectors conducting on-site inspections
- staff in hotels, motels
The child care emergency certificate is valid for 90 days. If the applicant is determined eligible, they will receive a new 12-month child care certificate.
The CCAIR emergency certificate will end, however; parents will have the opportunity to apply for assistance under the standard child care subsidy requirements.
Parents will receive a letter via email 45 days prior to the expiration of their emergency certificate giving them the opportunity to apply for the 12-month certificate on our income-based program. In order to receive the 12-month certificate, the parent must meet the program’s eligibility requirements. If the applicant is determined eligible, they will receive a new 12-month child care certificate. If the applicant is determined ineligible, both the parent and provider will receive a termination letter notifying them of the last day of child care reimbursement by MDHS.
No. This is a one-time certificate per child per household.
https://www.apps.mdhs.ms.gov/ccis/NewApplication/AppStartPage.aspx Select Emergency CCAIR Parent Application.
Please submit the following verification documents. Any missing documents will delay application processing.
- Proof of Age:
- Child’s Birth Certificate-Long Form is required
- Proof of Identity:
- Photo ID: Provide 1 of the following: Driver’s license, other state issued ID card, Passport or other government issued photo ID.
- If you do not have a photo ID, 2 of the following forms must be provided: Work ID or School ID, ID for Health Benefits, Voter registration card, Birth Certificate, EBT card, EPPIC card
- Proof of Residency (Submit one of the following):
- Valid Mississippi driver’s license
- Valid state issued ID
- Current bank statement
- Current cell phone bill
- Current utility bill
- Current cable bill
- Current employment records
- Rent/Lease agreement effective as of the date the document is submitted
- MDHS transitional living form https://na2.docusign.net/Member/PowerFormSigning.aspx?PowerFormId=ea94f5d7-1da5-40f2-bdf5-2381ee8477de&env=na2
- Proof of Employment as an Essential Personnel (Submit one of the following):
- Copy of work badge credential plus a recent pay stub (within the last 30 days) with the employer’s name on it; or
- A letter on employer letterhead stating the applicant is essential, and the current job description of the employee.
After submitting your application, you will receive an email that will include your application number and the list of required documents. You will need to include the application number on all documents submitted to MDHS.
To check your application status visit: https://www.apps.mdhs.ms.gov/ccis/NewApplication/AppStartPage.aspx
The following options are available for you to submit documentation for your application. Please choose one, and remember to include your application number.
- Parent document upload link: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/92ca98a8c3364fa298d7c05e2356cff5,
- Fax: (601) 359-4422
- Mail to: DECCD P.O. Box 352, Jackson, MS 39212
Yes. We serve children 6 weeks to 12 years of age and children up to age 19 with special needs.
No. This emergency certificate does not have income requirements.
No. The 12-month certificate is effective for a longer period of time and offers greater stability for families. At this time, both certificates are paying at a higher rate and both include payment of parent co-pay fees.
When parents select a non-temporary child care provider, MDHS is currently able to offer child care subsidy that reimburses child care providers based on child enrollment and includes the parent co-payment amount indicated on the child care certificate. Parents will be required to pay the difference between the child care subsidy reimbursement rate and the child care provider’s tuition rate if tuition is greater than the subsidy rate.
Please check with your provider of choice to see if they applied to become a CCAIR trained provider.
Yes. MDHS will continue to cover parent copayments for providers who are open and providing services to children through December 31, 2020.
You can find a CCAIR Emergency location by clicking https://www.mdhs.provider.webapps.ms.gov/ccsearch.aspx
Select, CCAIR Emergency as the provider type and choose the county to search for a list in your area.
To support currently operating licensed and registered child care centers, CCAIR offers a set of guidelines and practices developed in partnership with the Mississippi State Department of Health purposed to help safeguard against the spread of COVID-19. Child care centers that elect to become a CCAIR trained site need only to take the free, online CCAIR training module (which takes approximately 30 minutes) and follow the protocols laid out in the training and the CCAIR Site Manual.
TO access the CCAIR Site Manual, click here: https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CCAIR-MANUAL-Revised-4.15.20.pdf
CCAIR Frequently Asked Questions for Providers
CCAIR is the Child Care Assistance in Isolation Response Plan. It is comprised of two parts: (1) the establishment of temporary child care in response to COVID-19 and (2) a set of guidelines following CDC and MS Department of Health guidelines and training to help child care providers provide the safest possible care environment for children in their care.
- public safety and first responders
- law enforcement
- fire prevention and response
- emergency medical technicians (EMTs)
- 911 call center personnel
- Nurses, technicians, receptionists, food service employees, and sanitation service employees working in hospitals, clinics, and medical offices providing health treatment
- research and laboratory operations
- nursing homes
- residential health care facilities
- congregate care facilities
- assisted living facilities
- elder care
- medical wholesale and distribution
- home health workers and aides
- medical supply and equipment manufacturers and providers
- medical waste disposal
- hazardous waste disposal
- repair technicians providing in-home repair services
- social workers and mental health workers providing in-person services
- other ancillary healthcare services on a case by case basis
- employees with regular direct customer contact in the following job roles:
- teaching, food preparation, sanitation, and reception staff within childcare facilities and schools
- cashiers, servers, meal delivery drivers, and bartenders within food service locations
- cashiers, and those responsible for bagging, filling, and delivering customer orders within grocery stores
- cashiers in retail stores, i.e. department stores, dollar stores, drug stores, and gas stations
- sanitation workers
- bank tellers and public service clerks (DMV, Department of Health, Tax Assessor, Court Clerks, County Clerks)
- staff in hair, nail, tanning salons, spas, and fitness clubs
- staff in veterinary offices,
- Health and City Inspectors conducting on-site inspections
- staff in hotels, motels
The child care emergency certificate is valid for 90 days. If the applicant is determined eligible, they will receive a new 12-month child care certificate.
The CCAIR emergency certificate will end, however; parents will have the opportunity to apply for assistance under the standard child care subsidy requirements.
Parents will receive a letter via email 45 days prior to the expiration of their emergency certificate giving them the opportunity to apply for the 12-month certificate on our income-based program. In order to receive the 12-month certificate, the parent must meet the program’s eligibility requirements. If the applicant is determined eligible, they will receive a new 12-month child care certificate. If the applicant is determined ineligible, both the parent and provider will receive a termination letter notifying them of the last day of child care reimbursement by MDHS.
No. This is a one-time certificate per child per household.
https://www.apps.mdhs.ms.gov/ccis/NewApplication/AppStartPage.aspx Select Emergency CCAIR Parent Application.
The following documents are required for verification to qualify. Any missing documents will delay application processing.
- Proof of Age:
- Child’s Birth Certificate-Long Form is required
- Proof of Identity:
- Photo ID: Provide 1 of the following: Driver’s license, other state issued ID card, Passport or other government issued photo ID.
- If you do not have a photo ID, 2 of the following forms must be provided: Work ID or School ID, ID for Health Benefits, Voter registration card, Birth Certificate, EBT card, EPPIC card
- Proof of Residency (Submit one of the following):
- Valid Mississippi driver’s license
- Valid state issued ID
- Current bank statement
- Current cell phone bill
- Current utility bill
- Current cable bill
- Current employment records
- Rent/Lease agreement effective as of the date the document is submitted
- MDHS transitional living form https://na2.docusign.net/Member/PowerFormSigning.aspx?PowerFormId=ea94f5d7-1da5-40f2-bdf5-2381ee8477de&env=na2
- Proof of Employment as an Essential Personnel (Submit one of the following):
- Copy of work badge credential plus a recent pay stub (within the last 30 days) with the employer’s name on it; or
- A letter on employer letterhead stating the applicant is essential, and the current job description of the employee.
After submitting the application, they will receive an email that will include their application number and the list of required documents. They will need to include the application number on all documents submitted to MDHS.
To check the application status visit: https://www.apps.mdhs.ms.gov/ccis/NewApplication/AppStartPage.aspx
Where does the parent submit required documents? The following options are available to submit documentation for the application. Please choose one and remember to include the application number.
- Parent document upload link: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/92ca98a8c3364fa298d7c05e2356cff5,
- Fax: (601) 359-4422
- Mail to: DECCD P.O. Box 352, Jackson, MS 39212
Yes. We serve children 6 weeks to 12 years of age and children up to age 19 with special needs.
No. This emergency certificate does not have income requirements.
No. The 12-month certificate is effective for a longer period of time and offers greater stability for families. At this time, both certificates are paying at a higher rate and both include payment of parent co-pay fees.
When parents select a non-temporary child care provider, MDHS is currently able to offer child care subsidy that reimburses child care providers based on child enrollment and includes the parent co-payment amount indicated on the child care certificate. Parents will be required to pay the difference between the child care subsidy reimbursement rate and the child care provider’s tuition rate if tuition is greater than the subsidy rate.
Yes. MDHS will continue to cover parent copayments for providers who are open and providing services to children through December 31, 2020.
MDHS has emailed an additional provider identification number. Use this provider identification number to log-in and claim reimbursement for children with emergency certificates.
To support currently operating licensed and registered child care centers, CCAIR offers a set of guidelines and practices developed in partnership with the Mississippi State Department of Health purposed to help safeguard against the spread of COVID-19. Child care centers that elect to become a CCAIR trained site need only to take the free, online CCAIR training module (which takes approximately 30 minutes) and follow the protocols laid out in the training and the CCAIR Site Manual.
How can parents get their free child care certificate? When parents select a non-temporary child care provider, MDHS is currently able to offer child care subsidy that reimburses child care providers based on child enrollment and includes the parent co-payment amount indicated on the child care certificate. Parents will be required to pay the difference between the child care subsidy reimbursement rate and the child care provider’s tuition rate if tuition is greater than the subsidy rate.
Will MDHS continue to pay co-payments for parents? Yes. MDHS will continue to pay parent co-payments until September 30, 2020, with a possible extension as funding allows.
How do I claim reimbursement for emergency child certificates? MDHS has emailed an additional provider identification number. Use this provider identification number to log-in and claim reimbursement for children with emergency certificates.
How do I become a CCAIR trained provider? To support currently operating licensed and registered child care centers, CCAIR offers a set of guidelines and practices developed in partnership with the Mississippi State Department of Health purposed to help safeguard against the spread of COVID-19. Child care centers that elect to become a CCAIR trained site need only to take the free, online CCAIR training module (which takes approximately 30 minutes) and follow the protocols laid out in the training and the CCAIR Site Manual.
TO access the CCAIR Site Manual, click here: https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CCAIR-MANUAL-Revised-4.15.20.pdf
To access the training, go to https://mvcc16.instructure.com/enroll/A87CNJ and follow the steps below:
- Login or create a new account. (Creating a new account will require a valid email.)
- Go to the “Dashboard” and click on “ECA-MECIC Early Education Training”
- Select the “CCAIR Orientation Training” course.
Please email Alicia Westbrook at alicia.westbrook@usm.edu, and she will assist you.
Please submit your training certificate here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/8fd0e455300e4f53b4bedeaeb4900215
Click here to access & submit the COVID-19 exposure notification form: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/93c06823e508430084d43de143bab2d4
If you have closed your center due to COVID-19, click here to submit the information: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/66b0995abcae4e9696a59128f493a56a
If you have re-opened your center click here to submit the information: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/66b0995abcae4e9696a59128f493a56a
General Questions
Yes. More children are being serviced in Mississippi than ever before. MDHS has funding for the foreseeable future. In February 2018, there were approximately 13,500 active certificates. As of August 2019, there were approximately 19,800 active certificates.
No. The waiting list was opened in February 2018. Any child eligible for a certificate may receive one at this point. Please note that a waiting list is different from the time it takes to process a parent application. A parent application cannot be completely processed until all required documents have been submitted. (See “How long will it take my application to get approved for a certificate?”)
Agency appeals are available to providers, applicants, or recipients as stated in Chapter 9 of the Child Care Payment Policy manual. Below is language from the policy manual specifically related to administrative agency appeal.
“ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY APPEAL
An administrative agency appeal hearing is available for any child care provider, applicant or recipient upon written request to the Administrative Hearings Division of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of MDHS. An administrative agency appeal hearing provides an opportunity for a more formal review when the child care provider, applicant, or recipient disagrees with an adverse action that was taken directly by MDHS. MDHS Programmatic Administrative Agency Appeal Hearing Policy is incorporated herein by reference (See Part 23, Chapter 3).”
Here is a link to the MDHS Programmatic Administrative Agency Appeal Hearing Policy that is incorporated by reference: http://www.sos.ms.gov/adminsearch/ACCode/00000671c.pdf .
Parents
It depends on how quickly you submit you application and the required documents. You have up to 60 days from the time you start your application to submit the application. Once the application is submitted, you are allowed up to 60 days to submit all required documents. After all the required documents are submitted, MDHS staff will review your application within 60 days. The sooner the required documents are submitted, the sooner your application will be reviewed. (For example: If you complete your application AND submit all required documents on Day 1, then you should receive a final answer by Day 61).
You may have received this letter for various reasons such as:
- the original document submitted was of poor quality or was illegible and could not be read
- the original document submitted was not within the required time frame needed (For example, proof of income documents must be within the last 30 days)
- the document was mailed and never made it to our office
We ALWAYS recommend that you keep your original document and send only a copy of the requested document. We accept documents in many formats including, but not limited to, photos of a document taken with your phone, scanned copies, photocopies, and electronic copies.
Providers
Yes. Child care providers may claim 5 yr. olds with a FT/PT (Full-Time/Part-Time) certificate if the child attends the center full-time. Full-time is defined as child care provided for six (6) or more hours of a 24-hour day.
Contact the Mississippi Department of Health at 601-576-7400.
Health and safety trainings are conducted by the Early Childhood Academy (ECA) and are available online and face-to-face. Go to this link to register for a training: ccpptraining@mdhs.ms.gov or call 601-432-6519. You will need an email address for each staff member to register for the training. You cannot use the childcare center’s email address.
Health and safety orientation training must be completed within 90 days from the date of hire.
Health and safety orientation training must be completed every two (2) years by every staff member.
Professional development trainings are conducted by the Early Childhood Academy (ECA) and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). Go to this link to register for trainings offered by ECA: https://ccpptraining.mdhs.ms.gov/home. Go to this link to register for trainings offered by MSDH: https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/30,0,183,437.html
Every staff member of a licensed and unlicensed providers must follow Mississippi State Department of Health regulations requiring 15 contact hours of professional development each year. License exempt providers must adhere to professional development requirements as prescribed by the organization that sanctions the program and upon which its license exempt status is based.
Contact the Early Childhood Academy (ECA) for assistance in helping you develop an emergency preparedness response plan at 601-432-6519.
You have a number of resources available to assist you in completing your Standard application.
- Early Childhood Academy (ECA) – 601-432-6519
Your best resource is an ECA coach. A coach can speak with you by phone or come on site and assist you in person with your application.
- PIP System Support (NSPARC) – 844-402-2889
Computer support related to your PIP application.
- Licensure/Registration Support (MS Dept. of Health) – 601-576-7400
Information about your center’s license or registration.
- CCPP Support (MDHS) – 800-877-7882
Information about general requirements for the Child Care Payment Program (CCPP)
Each Standard application is reviewed by curriculum reviewers and MDHS staff reviewers. The first section of the application to be reviewed is Section 3: Curriculum Information. Section 3 is reviewed by the curriculum review team comprised of Early Childhood Academy staff with credentials in early childhood education. The curriculum review will not result in a denial of the application but instead is used to determine if a provider needs technical assistance. The next sections reviewed are Section 1: Provider Information, Section 2: Professional Development, and Section 4: Self-Assessment. These Sections are reviewed by MDHS staff. The reviewers are looking for completion of responses in these sections.
Lack of curriculum is not a barrier to becoming a Standard designated provider. The Standard application allows you to select an option stating that your center does not have any type of curriculum. This is a one-time option for providers that leads to intensive technical assistance to assist a provider in developing and implementing curriculum. The provider must then have curriculum in place upon renewal. You may also contact the Early Childhood Academy (ECA) at 601-432-6519 for assistance.
A provider will be denied only if the provider does not submit a standard application or fails to meet the other standard designation requirements. (See next question for requirements)
- Must have a licensed or be registered with the Mississippi State Department of Health. This requirement includes:
- Current criminal background check (through the Mississippi State Department of Health) for all staff at your facility
- Current immunization for all staff at your facility
- Must complete Health and Safety training for all staff (once every two years).
- Must complete mandatory preservice and ongoing professional development related to early childhood care and development.
- Have curricula and/or learning activities or be working toward curricula with an Early Childhood Academy coach that are aligned to State Early Learning Guidelines and Standards as adopted by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE).
- Technical assistant on curricula and/or learning activities is offered by Early Childhood Academy to providers at no cost to the providers
- Be engaged in continuous quality improvement. (This is accomplished when you complete the self-assessment in the Standard application)
This Comprehensive Pilot Program is a separate program from the Child Care Payment Program. (The Child Care Payment Program is funded through the Child Care Development Fund and administered by the Mississippi Department of Human Services.) The Comprehensive Pilot Program is a program funded by a grant called the Preschool Development Grant Birth to Five (PDG B-5) and administered by the Mississippi Community College Board. Participants for this program have been selected and received notice of their selection in early September 2019.
Yes, you can receive and keep the full amount of reimbursement from MDHS if your tuition rates are less than the MDHS market rate. We are seeking further clarifications. But in the future, you may have to track any overage to account for it as quality money. But that will only affect the way you report rates, not how much money you are allowed to keep.
MDHS’s Office of Inspector General will soon begin randomly selecting providers for review of records. MDHS also investigates if a complaint is filed with the agency.
What is the policy on how many consecutive days a child can miss before the provider must report it?
A child shall be allowed up to five (5) paid unexcused absence days per month. Child care providers are paid for a full month for up to five (5) absent days. If a child is absent for more than five (5) days, the child care provider shall be paid on a daily basis. No documentation is needed for these absences. Excessive absences — Absences are considered excessive whenever a child(ren) is absent from a child care center for sixty (60) consecutive days or more.
Exception to the excessive absence rule: Temporary long-term absences — May be granted for special circumstances such as chronic illness of the child, custody situation that requires the child to spend extended time with a non-custodial parent, or a temporary move out of state. Requests should be made in writing to MDHS if absences will exceed sixty (60) consecutive days, and will be granted on a case by case basis. If granted, the certificate will continue to remain active, regardless of attendance, but the child care provider will only be paid for five (5) days of absence per month. However, the child care provider has the option to disenroll the child from his or her child care center.
MDHS pays an annual registration/activity fee of $50. If you categorize your enrollment or preschool fee as a registration/activity fee then you could claim $50 annually per child. This payment will only be paid once a year when a new child care certificate is issued. Payment will occur at initial application for new applicants and at redetermination for existing parents.
Child care providers are required to collect co-payments each month, maintain documentation of collection, and report non-payment to MDHS.
Mississippi’s child care reimbursement rate is set at 75% of the state’s average child care payment rates by age of child, child’s full- or part-time status, and facility type based on the most recent Market Rate Survey.
All child care providers are paid the same reimbursement rates based on the type of provider (center-based child care or family child care). This means all center-based child care providers are reimbursed at the same rates as all other center-based child care providers. And, all family child care providers are reimbursed at the same rates as all other family child care providers.