A quick update from the Early Childhood Coalition:
Last Minute Zoom Check In- I will host a last-minute end-of-year zoom meeting for anyone that wants to check-in tomorrow at 3 pm. Many centers are facing more cases of COVID and having to juggle difficult decisions. I plan to be there for anyone that wants support or just a place to connect at the end of this hard year. Link will be in the email.
Survey- Please take this QUICK SURVEY about best time for meeting for next year, items to focus on in the coming months.
COVID Cases- Cases are on the rise in our region and many centers are closing early for winter break or facing lots of exposures. Continue to seek Pima County Health direction if you have COVID at your center.
DES Update- December started the change of how DES is reimbursing providers.
Starting December 2020 services, CCA will no longer be paying January 2020 utilizations at the full-day rate.
The current reimbursement and tiered incentive rates and subtracting the parent copays.
Providers will be paid the greater of actual utilization or the lump sum amount.
Payments to providers will be made in two payments.
The provider must have cared for, billed, and reimbursed for at least one DES child during the
billing period and within the child’s authorization period.
Providers must complete and submit billing documents. Billing documents MUST be received no
later than the 21st day of the month following the service month. Providers are still able to claim the two (2) Paid Absences.
Billing documents received after the 21st day of the month following the utilization will not be eligible for the new COVID-19 emergency lump sum payment and will only be paid their actual utilization.
AZ Healthy Childcare Helpline- First Things First has put together the AZ Healthy Childcare Helpline which is a free service available to child care providers in Arizona to get answers to questions and expert advice on health and safety during COVID-19. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm 602.506.6767 or AZ.HealthyChildCare@maricopa.gov
Early Childhood Special Education Summit- Register now for the Early Childhood Special Education Summit on February 11-12. It will be a virtual event sponsored by the Arizona Department of Education and Arizona Early Intervention Program. Register HERE.
Celebrating Preschool Scholarships! – Check out this great news in regards to the $750,000 worth of preschool scholarships awarded in the past few months. Take a moment to thank our City Council for their support of childcare. https://www.tucsonaz.gov/city-government
Wishing you health and moments of joy during this holiday season! Email to come with our new date and time, and next meeting link.