Providers must register with the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families to receive payments through the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). A family approved for CCAP must tell their worker which provider they choose.
After the worker approves CCAP and confirms the provider, the worker will send a Service Authorization to both the family and the provider. The worker will also create the billing forms needed for payment.
Receiving payment
To receive payment, Providers must complete the Billing Form after the billing period.
Providers will receive payment within 21 days after Dakota County receives the billing form.
Tips for completing billing forms
- Make sure to enter the appropriate unit type: H=hourly, D=daily, W=weekly, and O=other.
- Use correct attendance codes as applicable: A=Absent day and H=Holiday.
- Provider and parent must sign and date the physical billing form.
- Submit billing forms within 60 days of the last service date to avoid denied payments.
- Provider Comments box: Briefly explain special circumstances or exceptions. An example is when a child is no longer in your care and you're unable to reach the parent for the signature.
Other notes:
- Fill out completely and keep daily attendance record.
- You should bill a CCAP family at the same rate you charge for a non-CCAP family.
- When a child is absent, CCAP may pay up to 25 absent days per year with some exceptions. For more information on absent day payments, go to the Minnesota CCAP Policy Manual.
- Authorized hours are the maximum hours, which will be paid during the biweekly period. If you request more hours, such as for school release, you must add a comment explaining the request. The financial worker will review the comment and approve the extra hours before payment is made.
- Bills cannot be paid if the center is closed (e.g., provider's holidays) and care is unavailable.
For payment and billing questions, email eeaccpals@co.dakota.mn.us. You will need your provider number and case number (found on the billing form).
County payment amounts
The county will pay up to what is authorized by the financial worker up to the county’s maximum rates.
Child care centers
Infant
| $26
| $261
| $512.40
|
Toddler
| $24
| $230.40
| $462
|
Preschool
| $21
| $200
| $398.40
|
School age
| $21
| $132
| $375
|
Family child care
Infant
| $12
| $60
| $250
|
Toddler
| $10.80
| $60
| $250
|
Preschool
| $10
| $55
| $230
|
School age
| $10
| $50
| $205
|
Legal non-license
Infant
| $4.50
| $0
| $0
|
Toddler
| $4.50
| $0
| $0
|
Preschool
| $4.14
| $0
| $0
|
School age
| $3.69
| $0
| $0
|
Parent Aware Rate is 15 percent higher than the maximum rates.
Parents must pay the provider costs that exceed the maximum rates. Parents may also be responsible for some registration fees, special program fees and for the co-payment amount listed on the Service Authorization.
Incomplete billing forms
If the bill cannot be approved, it may be returned to you for more information or corrections. Whenever possible, the county will call and verify information to expedite the process.
In some cases, the billing form may need to be returned to the financial worker for approval in order to make payment. The county may deny your invoice if it does not meet payment policies. Then, the county will send you a notice or add a comment in your remittance.
Get your child care assistance questions answered
For questions regarding co-pays, service authorizations or issues with parents, contact the child care provider line at 651-554-6999. You will need your provider ID to access this line.
For more information and billing examples, view the 
CCAP Child Provider Guide.
Billing holidays
Providers may be reimbursed for up to 11 state or federal holidays, when the provider is not open and charges all families for these days. Vacations for providers are not paid. See what days are considered holidays.