Alabama DHR increases subsidies to help low-income families afford child care
The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) has increased subsidies to help low-income families afford child care services thanks to the $40.7 million of additional Alabama child care funding authorized by the Omnibus Bill signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year. Rates will vary depending on the market rate in each region. For example, a center in Birmingham, located in the most costly region, will see the rate for toddlers and infants go from $118 a week to $142. In Fort Payne, located in the least costly region, will see the weekly rate for toddlers and infants go form $78 per week to $110 per week. The varying costs follow a market rate survey that was conducted by DHR in 2017 to determine child care costs in Alabama by region. “We are extremely pleased to be able to provide increased subsidy payments that should improve the quality of child care in Alabama,” stated DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner. “This will make it easier for low income working parents to find quality child care while they work to improve their family’s financial situation.” An additional bonus Also effective October 1, 2019 is an increase in the yearly Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) Bonus, as well as making the QRIS Star designation available to Group and Family Day Care Homes. All licensed child care providers in Alabama can participate in QRIS, earning from 1 Star to 5 Stars. The yearly bonus is higher for each Star in good standing. These bonuses are intended to encourage centers and homes to provide higher quality care for all children in child care throughout Alabama. “We believe that the QRIS will improve the quality of care in centers that participate in the program,” added Buckner “It is our hope that more centers across Alabama will see the value in participating in QRIS and that parents will want their children to attend centers that participate in this program. The children in Alabama deserve the very best in quality childcare.” Providers who receive a Star and also accept child care subsidy will receive a tiered rate for subsidy children. Each Star will make the provider eligible for 2 percent over the base subsidy rate 1 Star is 2 percent over base rate 2 Stars is 4 percent over base rate 3 Stars is 6 percent over base rate 4 Stars is 8 percent over base rate 5 Stars is 10 percent over base rate DHR spent $98 million for child care subsidy reimbursements to providers for Fiscal Year 2018 and plan to spend $112 in FY 2019.
Advocacy coalition says it’s time for Alabama to get serious and stop the Medicaid cuts
A bill that would allow Alabama to spend the $20 billion BP oil spill settlement and help fund the state’s $85 million Medicaid shortfall died in the state Senate late Tuesday night. The Legislature’s 30-day session is poised to end Wednesday and lawmakers have yet to find a way to fund the Alabama Medicaid Agency with the additional monies officials say are needed to maintain services across the state for the nearly one million Alabamians who live below the poverty line. Progress seemed to be made last week when the House approved a bill dividing the settlement money to pay off state debts and as well as road projects in coastal Alabama counties, meanwhile freeing up $55 million of the necessary $85 million for the state’s Medicaid program. But the bill stalled in the Senate’s budget committee Tuesday, leaving little hope for closing the budget gap before the Legislature goes out of session. Following Tuesday night’s impasse, Alabama Arise, a coalition advocating for low-income Alabamians, called on the Alabama Legislature and Gov. Robert Bentley to “get serious” and stop the Medicaid cuts. “Putting health care at risk for children, seniors, and people with disabilities is no way to build a stronger Alabama,” said Alabama Arise state coordinator Kimble Forrister. “Neither is lurching from one budget crisis to another because of our state’s failure to solve the General Fund’s long-term funding shortfall. “Alabama’s looming Medicaid cuts would be devastating for our most vulnerable neighbors. The cuts could prompt many pediatricians to leave the state and could end coverage of essential services like outpatient dialysis and adult eyeglasses. “The governor and the Legislature need to act quickly to prevent these Medicaid cuts from becoming a reality later this year. And our state needs to get serious about raising the long-term, sustainable new revenue needed to invest in a healthier, stronger Alabama for all.”
