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Foster Care Child Care

Foster Care Child Care (FCCC)

FCCC is a joint effort between two departments at the Kansas Department for Children and Families– the Prevention and Protection Services (PPS) and Economic and Employment Services (EES). The FCCC is a part of the Child Care Assistance Program and is designed specifically to support foster caregivers. It provides financial sponsorship and payments through EBT cards for eligible provider expenses.

How to Enroll in Foster Care Child Care

Frequently Asked Questions

Child

Is there an age limit for child care?

DCF Child Care Assistance is typically for children from birth to age 13. DCF Child Care Assistance may be approved for children ages 13-18 if there is an allowable need or if the child isn’t physically or mentally able to care for themselves. If you need care for a child in this age group, please explain in detail on the application or in an email for consideration.

Note: If the application for a child 13-18 is not signed by the Case Management Provider or Child Placing Agency, then the foster parent must have documentation from the case manager, doctor, therapist, etc. in order for the child to be considered unable to care for themselves.

What is an allowable need?

Typically, this is a need for care during the hours when a foster parent is in school or at work. Any other needs should be explained on the application and will be looked at on a case-by-case basis. Care to allow the child to socialize or to give the foster parents a break is not an allowable need for Foster Care Child Care.  

What if my child in foster care has special needs?

Contact the Foster Care Child Care unit to see if your situation qualifies for an enhanced rate. This enhanced rate ($7.25 per hour) is designed to help pay for any additional care that may be needed for a child with a physical, mental, or emotional disability. The child must require care above and beyond what is typical for a child of that age, even if it is not a permanent disability. 

You will need to supply documentation of the need from a professional, and the individual providing additional care will need to submit a written statement explaining the type of care they will be providing and any training they have that qualifies them to provide that care.

What if my child in foster care is not a US citizen?

To qualify for Foster Care Child Care, a foster child must be a US citizen or a qualifying non-citizen. If you are unsure if your foster child will qualify, talk with your caseworker or case manager. 

Children who do not qualify for Foster Care Child Care (FCCC) due to citizenship may have their child care expenses covered by the Child Care Exception Payment Program (CCEPP).  An FCCC application is needed to start this process.

Child Care Provider

Can a current foster care home apply for an exception to be a family foster home and a licensed child care provider?

No. Even in cases where the foster care home has provided care for additional children, Kansas law allows only one license to be issued for a single location.

What if I cannot find a child care provider?

If you still are having difficulty finding a DCF-enrolled child care provider after contacting Child Care Aware of Kansas at 877-678-2548, you may use a qualified relative of the child in foster care, which include grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt, uncle, or adult sibling.

If you are using a provider that is not licensed with KDHE nor is a qualifying relative of the child in foster care, you are not eligible for FCCC funds. The Child Care Exception Payment Program (CCEPP) can pay the provider as long as care is being done in the foster child’s home and the provider has been vetted by the foster care case management agency.

If I recently signed an adoption placement agreement, do my relatives now become the child’s relatives, allowing me to use one of them as my child care provider?

Your family may be considered the foster child’s ‘qualifying relatives’ once the adoption is finalized. At that point, you no longer qualify for Foster Care Child Care assistance but may apply for regular Income Eligible or TANF Child Care Assistance through your local DCF office. Normal requirements, such as income limits, resources limits, and work requirements, will need to be met.  

Can I use my Kansas Benefits Card to pay a provider who provides care in the foster child’s home?

Yes, if the provider is a DCF-enrolled In-Home Relative provider. They must be a qualified relative of the child in foster care. These include grandparent, great grandparent, aunt, uncle, or adult sibling.

You are unable to use the Kansas Benefits Card to pay for care provided by providers who are not enrolled with DCF. 

If you are using a provider that is not licensed with KDHE, nor a qualifying relative and they are not eligible to enroll with DCF, the Child Care Exception Payment Program (CCEPP) can pay the provider as long as care is being done in the foster child’s home. 

When using relatives to provide child care, do they need to be licensed?

No. A qualifying relative to the child (grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt, uncle, or adult sibling) does not need to become a licensed child care provider. However, they do need to be a DCF-enrolled provider.

Does a provider have to be related to every child in their care in order to qualify as a relative provider?

Yes. To qualify as a relative provider, the provider must be related to all children in their care. For example, if you have three children from the same family, but the person willing to provide care is only related to one of the children, that person would only be considered a relative provider for that one child. If the children are all related, then payment can be made through CCEPP.

What if my provider has a temporary KDHE license?

You can still apply for Foster Care Child Care subsidy benefit. If you are not approved, your caseworker or case manager may have other options for you.

Can I use my Foster Care Child Care benefits to pay for afterschool or summer care?

Yes, as long as the provider is enrolled with DCF.  Any amount not covered by FCCC benefits on the Kansas Benefits Card, can be submitted to the Child Care Exception Payment Program (CCEPP). They will work with your provider to pay the additional cost.

Who should my provider contact if they are licensed but not yet DCF-enrolled?

If you know of a licensed child care provider who wants to enroll with DCF so they can provide care to a child in foster care, add their information to an application or change form so Foster Care Child Care program staff can send a referral to DCF provider enrollment staff. They can also visit the Child Care in Kansas DCF enrolled providers page for more information.

Financial

What does Foster Care Child Care assistance pay for?

Foster Care Child Care will pay for the cost of regular child care and enrollment fees. Only the Child Care Exception Payment Program (CCEPP) can cover fees to hold a spot in the future, transportation, membership, activity, or other miscellaneous costs. The foster parent will receive a copy of the family plan, which will specify the benefit amount calculated for each individual child with their individual providers.

Any amount not covered by FCCC benefits on the EBT card, can be submitted to the Child Care Exception Payment Program (CCEPP). They will work with your provider to pay the additional cost if applicable.

How will I pay my DCF-enrolled provider?

All Foster Care Child Care (FCCC) benefits are issued on a Kansas Benefits Card that functions like a debit card. It is activated using the number on the back of the card, and a PIN is selected. You will also need your provider’s 7-digit CC Provider ID (it starts with a letter). Then, you can pay your provider by:

  • Using your provider’s point-of-sale machine
  • Using ebtEDGE.com,
  • Using the EBT mobile app, or
  • Calling the EBT customer care number: 1-800-997-6666
When will I receive the Kansas Benefits Card?

The card will be received 5 to 7 business days after the benefits have been authorized. If the initial month of eligibility is a future month, the card is not sent until the monthly benefit authorization is sent to the EBT contractor. If you have previously had a card and it is still active, benefits will be put on that card.

Will there be a new Kansas Benefits Card issued with each placement?

No. The foster parent will be issued a card and child care benefits will be added/deducted as children enter and leave their home.

How will foster parents know the amount?

A notice will be mailed to you showing the approved benefit amounts. You can also check the card balance through the EBT Edge website, mobile app, or by calling the EBT customer care number 1-800-997-6666.

What if my child care expense exceeds the Foster Care Child Care benefits allowed?

If the FCCC benefits do not cover the entire cost of child care, please submit invoices and your child care plan to the Child Care Exception Payment Program (CCEPP) at [email protected]. They will work with you and your provider to pay the remaining child care expense.

What if I am not approved for Foster Care Child Care EBT benefits?

If you don’t qualify for FCCC benefits, email [email protected] to inform them that you were denied of FCCC benefits and need CCEPP assistance.

What happens if the child leaves the placement early?

Benefits are issued on your Kansas Benefits Card on the first of the month, for the month. If the child leaves your home mid-month, the EBT card benefit should cover your costs in full. If not, please submit invoices to [email protected]. They will work with you and your provider to determine if their funding will cover the remaining child care expense.

If a foster child leaves your care early, also be sure to reach out to your caseworker or case manager to make sure you are both on the same page, as well as your child care provider, to see if it is required for you to pay for the care for the rest of the month.

What if I lose my Kansas Benefits Card?

If you have lost an active card, please contact ebtEDGE to report your card lost at 1-800-997-6666.

Child Care Exception Payment Program (CCEPP)

The Child Care Exception Payment Program is a state-funded program that pays for child care of children in foster care when Foster Care Child Care is unable.

How do I apply for an exception payment?

First, you will need to apply for Foster Care Child Care (FCCC) so they can determine and verify your eligibility for FCCC benefits. 

If you are eligible for Foster Care Child Care (FCCC) benefits with a provider, and the benefits do not cover the entire cost of care, please submit invoices to the Child Care Exception Payment Program (CCEPP) at [email protected]. They will work with you and your provider to determine if CCEPP funding will cover the child care expense.

What if I don’t live in the state of Kansas?

You will work with your kinship worker or sponsoring agency worker to see what other funding options may be available.  If your kinship worker or sponsoring agency worker is unsure of the options, please have them contact the case management provider of the child in foster care.

Resources

Apply for FCCC Benefits 
Determine your eligibility as a foster family for the child(ren) in your temporary care. 
English | Spanish

Update your FCCC information
Add or remove a child, change address, hours, providers, and more.
English | Spanish

Contact Us

If your cost of care exceeds the benefit you receive for foster care child care, if you do not qualify for EBT benefits, or have any general questions, please reach out to the FCCC team or your case worker.

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