Family and Provider Frequently Asked Questions

Provider Questions

Q: If a child attends my center on-call and the parent chooses to keep the child home due to concerns about the coronavirus, will  the parent be responsible for full tuition if the child is absence for 3 days or more or will ELC cover this cost?

A: No, the parent will not be responsible for the ELC parent co-pay. Providers will be paid for additional School Readiness and VPK absences due to COVID-19, and parent co-payments are waived effective April1. Parents may be charged the provider’s differential, which is the difference between what the ELC pays the provider and the provider’s private pay rate. The ELC does not determine this differential; that is handled between the provider and the parent.

Q: Will the ELC pay the parent fees they owe me for March as well as my portion of the parent payment that makes up the difference between my reimbursement rates and my private pay rates? 

A: Parent co-payments are waived effective April 1. Parents may still be charged the provider’s differential, which is the difference between what the ELC pays the provider and the provider’s private pay rate. The ELC does not determine or pay this differential; that is handled between the provider and the parent.

Parent Questions

Q: For the parents who have received a notification of funding but have not been approved for the funding, will their deadlines to get their information turned in be extended?

A: No, there are no extended deadlines for families on the wait list to submit information. 

Q: If a parent has had a job start date postponed, will they be terminated if they cannot provide check stubs?

A: A: There may be extended deadlines based on a parent’s unique circumstance. Law requires customers to report all changes within 10 days to their ELC caseworker. Parents with special circumstances are encouraged to contact their caseworker so that the ELC can guide them appropriately.

Q:  My child attends a childcare center on-call. I explained to the provider that I would like to keep my child home as a precaution due to COVID-19. The provider told me that if my child misses 3 days I am responsible for the full tuition and that ELC will not  pay. Is this correct?

A: No. Providers will be paid for additional School Readiness and VPK absences due to COVID-19, and parent co-payments are waived effective April 1. Parents may be charged the provider’s differential, which is the difference between what the ELC pays the provider and the provider’s private pay rate. The ELC does not determine this differential; that is handled between the provider and the parent.

Parent Co-Pay Questions

To relieve the financial strain on families affected by the COVID -19, the State of Florida will waive the ELC-assessed copayment (parent fee) for ALL School Readiness families starting April 1, 2020.

Q: Does this mean that my child care is now free?

A: No, the provider may still charge you the difference between the private pay rate and what the ELC pays the provider for SR. The provider may also still charge you additional fees, such as a late fee.

Q: Will I receive a new child care certificate reflecting a $0 copayment?

A: No, because this affects all families and providers, the ELC will not send child care certificates showing $0 copayments. This communication as well as emails sent to families and providers by the ELC notifies all families and providers of the fee waiver and the start date.

Q: What are my next steps?

A: Contact your provider and request an updated written statement of your total cost of care.

Q: How long will the copayment waiver last?

A: The State of Florida has not yet determined how long the copayment waiver will last. The State will reassess the situation every 15 days. Once the State informs the ELC of the waiver end date, the ELC will communicate that date to all SR families and providers.  

Q: Will I still need a Provider Transfer Request (with signed fee release section) to complete a Provider Transfer during the copayment waiver period?

A: Yes, you will still need a Provider Transfer Request (with signed fee release section) to complete a provider transfer. Law requires parents to pay all the ELC-assessed copayments before transferring their child to a new provider, including the copayments from before the wavier start date of April 1, 2020.

Q: Who can I contact if I have more questions about the copayment waiver?

A: Email your questions to familyservices@elcbigbend.org. The ELC monitors this inbox during regular working hours.