Program Information

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Program Information

AmeriCorps Child Care Benefits Program

The AmeriCorps Child Care Benefit Program is available for qualified, active, full-time AmeriCorps State and National, VISTA, NCCC, and FEMA Corps Members who need the benefit to serve; eligibility requirements are listed below for each AmeriCorps program. Child care benefits are paid directly to qualified child care providers for all or of part of the member's child care costs during their active time of service with AmeriCorps; child care benefit payments cannot be paid directly to AmeriCorps members. Child care benefits may not exceed applicable payment rates as established in the state in which the child care is provided under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858c(4)(A)).

Application Process

To learn about your eligibility requirements, follow the link to our AmeriCorps Child Care Program Fact Sheet

Whether you are an AmeriCorps member or childcare provider, please use the AmeriCorps Member and Child Care Provider Checklists to confirm that you have all the documents to complete your Child Care benefit application.

AmeriCorps Member Checklist

AmeriCorps Provider Checklist

For your convenience, you can choose to apply online. Please utilize and share the below links to our online applications; and if you choose to fill out a paper application, click the Forms/Resources button located at the center of the homepage to find and print the forms you need.

AmeriCorps Member Online Application

AmeriCorps Provider Online Application

For a description on the Types of Child Care Providers, please click below.

Types of Child Care Providers

To find out if your provider of choice is approved to receive childcare payments from AmeriCorps, please review the AmeriCorps Childcare Provider State Guide.

If your childcare provider doesn't meet your state's requirement to participate, please select a different childcare provider.

GAP Solutions (GAPSI) has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help answer questions that AmeriCorps State & National, VISTA, and NCCC members may have about the AmeriCorps Child Care Program (ACCP). If you find you have further questions not addressed by the FAQs or need assistance in applying please feel free to contact our child care coordinators toll free at 1-855-886-0687 .

Child Care Program Forms

Please fill out and submit signed copies of these forms in one of the following ways:
  1. E-mail signed copies directly to americorpschildcare@gapsi.com
  2. Fax signed copies to 1-800-521-5415
  3. Mail signed copies to 205 Van Buren St. Ste. 205, Herndon, VA 20170
  Forms
AmeriCorps Member Application View
Member Information Update Form View
AmeriCorps Program Certification of Active Service View
Child Care Provider Application View
W-9 Form for Childcare Providers View
Attendance Sheet Invoice View
AmeriCorps Payment Authorization View
Unlicensed Child Care Provider Affidavit View
  Printable Resources
AmeriCorps Fact Sheet View
AmeriCorps Child Care Benefits Member FAQs View
AmeriCorps Member Checklist View
Statement of Work Activity View
Child Care Provider Checklist View
AmeriCorps Child Care Provider State Guide View
Attendance Sheet Invoice Example View
List of Individual State Territory CCDF Plans View
List of State Childcare Reimbursement Rates View
State Median Income Table (2019-2021 CCDF State Plans) View

AmeriCorps Member FAQs

Upon submission of your completed application to GAP Solutions, Inc., you will receive confirmation within 5 business days about the status of your application (incomplete or in review); if you have submitted an incomplete application, you will be notified at that time about what steps or documentation remain outstanding to process your application. All applications will be verified for eligibility and awarded or denied within 10 days from the date the application was marked completed.
Missing documentation, lack of response from the member and/or provider, and illegible documents are common challenges in application processing. To ensure there are no delays in processing your application, please make sure that the documents you are uploading, faxing or scanning are legible and/or scanning clearly. You may refer to the AmeriCorps Child Care Program website at: http://www.americorpschildcare.com for a detailed list of required forms and supporting documentation. An assigned Child Care Coordinator will send e-mail communication to you with information on documentation needed as well as questions about illegible documents. If your application package is incomplete or illegible, your application will be pending review for a period of up to 30 days; incomplete applications will be denied after the 30 days with the option to appeal. Uploading the documents via our online application and faxing are the most secure methods of sending documents to our office.  If you do decide to email any of your documents, please ensure you encrypt the documents, then send the documents in one email and the password in a separate email.  That will help protect your information from any unintended recipients
Each of the 50 states and 5 territories establishes their own regulations for implementing the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 and each state and territory can change these requirements at any time. Some states publish information on public websites however the information is often lengthy and unclear. GAP Solutions, Inc. has information on the eligibility requirements for each state and is your resource for determining your eligibility and rates; please contact GAP Solutions, Inc. for assistance in the application process and with questions about eligibility. Please note that each state has unique requirements for eligibility. For your convenience GAP Solutions has provided a link to the CCDF Plans as an additional resource. See "Apply Online" and Member Application in the tool bar above to view the list of Individual and State and Territory CCDF Plans. Click here to view the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services CCDF State and Territory Contacts.
The biological parent of the child needing the childcare benefit cannot be used as a child care provider*. Depending on the state in which the care is provided; other blood relatives may be used. Some states allow a relative to serve as an approved provider and some states do not. Please note – regardless of state, providers may not live in the same household as the member and child. All childcare providers must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible to participate in the AmeriCorps Child Care program. Please call 1-855-886-0687 about your options for child care.

* For the NCCC program only, the guardian or family member with whom the child is living should also 1) be the child care provider or 2) serve as the responsible party in selecting an outside child care provider; the identified child care provider however may not be the child’s biological, step, or adoptive parent. For more information, please review the section on Child Care Provider Types.
Contact GAP Solutions to find out if your State CCDF Plan grants you the option of in-home care.
The age limit for children is under 13 years old however; if you have a child with special needs you may still be eligible. Please contact Gap Solutions to discuss your child’s individual case.
The AmeriCorps Child Care Program strongly supports freedom in choosing a childcare provider that offers a stable and safe childcare environment where your child(ren) can best thrive. To find out if your childcare provider is eligible to participate in the AmeriCorps Childcare Program, please contact our helpline at 1-855-886-0687. Our Childcare Coordinators will assist you in understanding the specific child care provider eligibility requirements in your state and address any questions you may have. Only the types of providers listed as eligible to participate per your State’s CCDF plan may participate and be paid through the AmeriCorps Child Care Benefit program. To learn about your provider choices, check out the Child Care Provider State Guide!
A qualified child care provider is one that meets your state’s licensing and regulatory requirements in order to receive federally subsidized child care funds. Click here to read about different types of child care providers. Please remember however that the requirements for the types of eligible child care providers depends on the CCDF state requirements in which the care is being provided; some states require that child care providers meet particular licensing, certification and training requirements. GAP Solutions, Inc. will be your resource for ensuring that your child care provider meets state requirements.

Please note: child care providers can only participate in the AmeriCorps Child Care Benefits Program and be reimbursed for services starting from the moment that they complete all state-required certifications, registrations, and trainings.
Members may have multiple child care providers and additionally, child care providers may change at any time. ALL child care providers must however be approved through the application process before reimbursement for the member’s child care needs is considered and processed.\nParents are strongly encouraged to consider a back-up child care arrangement in the event that a primary child care provider is unable to provide care when it is required. For example, some child care centers might close on days other than Federal Holidays; members should submit to GAP Solutions a copy of the child care center’s schedule in the event that it is needed to reimburse a back-up child care provider.
Three possible reasons why you and your provider may have received a denial for the AmeriCorps Child Care Benefits are;

(1) Your provider lives with you

(2) Your provider couldn’t verify their place of residence. (In order for an unlicensed provider to participate in the program, the provider must be able to confirm their place of residence).

(3) Your provider can do this by presenting any of the following documents: a copy of their current lease in their name; copy of utility bill in their name; State issued ID that matches current address. If the childcare provider is not able to verify their place of residence, they will not be eligible to participate to receive benefit payments. Your provider may not have the background check, training and or certification requirements to be eligible per your State CCDF requirements. Should you receive a denial due to the use of an unlicensed provider, please contact GAP Solutions at 1- 855-886-0687 and our Child Care coordinators will be happy to discuss your specific case with you.
You may directly appeal a denial in writing to the AmeriCorps Child Care Benefit Administrator; appeals must be received within 15 business days of receipt of the denial notification for consideration. In your appeal, you should state and support (with documentation) your claim as to why you meet the eligibility requirements for receipt of the benefit, specifically addressing the ineligibility factors as outlined in your denial. Appeals may be submitted by email, fax, or mail to:

AmeriCorps Childcare Program
Attn: Yamileth Hernandez, Program Director, GAP Solutions, Inc.
205 Van Buren St.
Ste.205
Herndon, VA 20170
e-Mail: AmericorpsChildCare@gapsi.com
Fax: 1-800-521-5415
Within 10 business days of the receipt of the appeal, GAP Solutions will notify the AmeriCorps Member about the appeal decision.
You may be eligible for a short-term child care benefit for a period of job search. Please contact GAP Solutions, Inc. for assistance in the application process and with questions about eligibility.
You may qualify to receive only Part Time Rates if your spouse (or any other adults in your household) is at work part time.
If one of your household members is self-employed, the following documentation will be required: (1) Statement of Work Activity Form, (2) Quarterly Profit and Loss Statements (applies to business owners), or (3) Copy of most recent 1040 TAX Return (including all schedules)
YOU, the AmeriCorps member, are responsible for paying all child care charges in excess of the child care subsidy benefit amount. The child care benefit cannot exceed the prevailing rate established by the state or territory where the child care services are provided.
If your application is approved you may submit an attendance sheet for invoicing. Please ensure that we have proof of your PSO attendance to prevent any payment delays.
GAP Solutions will reimburse for weekend service-related work upon receiving confirmation of your work hours from your AmeriCorps site supervisor.
Both you and your child care provider will be held responsible for ensuring that the hours entered on each Attendance Sheet are true and accurate. If you have a request to add or remove hours to a previously submitted attendance sheet, you must submit a perjury statement signed by both member and provider as to why the attendance sheet should be modified.
Yes.
To enroll in ACH Electronic Payments, please complete Payment Authorization form or contact GAP Solutions for more information. All forms are found at http://www.americorpschildcare.com under forms.
Child care providers are paid in accordance with the member’s approved award rate and after completed documentation has been submitted to GAP Solutions, Inc. demonstrating the child care services needed and delivered for the previous month; please note, providers are not pre-paid for child care services. The member or the child care provider must submit a completed AmeriCorps Child Care Program Monthly Attendance Sheet (invoice) after the last day that the child care has been provided for that month; the Monthly Attendance Sheet Invoice is available here. The member and the child care provider must sign and certify each monthly Attendance Sheet confirming the following before processing:

  • The child’s attendance for each day, each week, and each month.
  • The total charges for child care services rendered during each week and the total for the month.
  • The child care provider is an eligible provider in accordance with the CCDF Block Grant program guidelines for the state or territory where the child care services were provided.

In addition, the member must sign and certify the following:
  • The member is still an active participant in the AmeriCorps Program, and
  • Nothing has changed in regard to their total household income, household size or AmeriCorps service status that will impact their eligibility in accordance with the CCDF Block Grant program guidelines for the state or territory where the child care services were provided.
Upon receipt of a completed Attendance Sheet Invoice, our staff will process payment within 10 business days.
The following are common causes for delay:
  • The Attendance Sheet Invoice is missing charges
  • The Attendance Sheet Invoice is missing hours that each child was in care.
  • The Attendance Sheet invoice is missing a signature from both the AmeriCorps Member and Child Care Provider
  • The Attendance Sheet Invoice is not dated. Each signature must be dated.
  • An Attendance Sheet invoice can also be delayed if your Child Care award is a conditional award. Meaning that a form or document is needed before payment can be processed.
  • A delay can also be a result of lack of proof of weekends charges on the invoice. If you had a need for weekend care, we ask that your supervisor submit confirmation of the weekends you were required to work so we can process payment for those days.
  • A delay can also occur when there’s an expired Child Care License.
  • Attendance sheets will not be processed until your Child Care Benefit Award has been issued. You can submit the invoice with your application packet but keep in mind that payments will be processed within 10 days from when you are issued the Child Care Benefit Award. If the Attendance Sheet invoice on file is incomplete, we will not be able to process it.
  • If an Attendance Sheet Invoice is completed and submitted too early (before the month is done) it cannot be processed for payment. The AmeriCorps Member and the Childcare Provider should both sign and date the form on the last day of care for the month. The only time an attendance invoice can be submitted for payment before the month ends is only when care for that month has ended early.
    • First, ask your child care provider if they have done the following: (1) Submitted a signed W-9 form and other documents as requested by GAP Solutions? (2) Submitted a complete monthly Attendance Sheet Invoice showing all charges for each month of care? Second, contact GAP Solutions, Inc. for assistance.
    No. The AmeriCorps Child Care Benefit does NOT reimburse or cover costs associated with registration fees, late fees, transportation, snacks, or any other miscellaneous fees; these fees are a responsibility of the AmeriCorps Member.
    Ensure your provider has an understanding of the AmeriCorps Child Care Benefits Program, eligibility requirements, and payment procedures. It is important that providers understand their responsibilities in the application process and the ongoing requirements for benefits payment. Encourage your provider to call GAP Solutions at the toll-free telephone number 855-886-0687 if they have any concerns.
    Providers are not pre-paid for child care services; rather, they are paid after completed documentation has been submitted to GAP Solutions, Inc. demonstrating the child care services needed and delivered for the previous month. It is recommended that members have a clear understanding and are in agreement with what requirements their child care provider may have of them for payment before having the provider come on as an ‘approved provider’ with the AmeriCorps Child Care Benefits Program. Remember, you as the member are responsible for paying all child care charges in excess of the child care benefit amount awarded.
    No. The AmeriCorps Child Care Benefit only pays benefits to approved child care providers on behalf of the serving member. We highly encourage parents to discuss payment arrangements with their providers if they are paying up front and to be sure to understand what the child care provider’s policy is regarding reimbursement back to the members once the benefit payments begin. It is important not to assume that your child care provider’s policy allows for reimbursement back to you.
    Your state‘s CCDF Plan outlines the rates associated with each type of provider. The amount of the rate per child is dependent on where your provider lives and the provider type (licensed, regulated, informal). A child not enrolled in school is granted both Part-time and Full-time rates. GAP Solutions uses the rate that best fits the attendance of the child when issuing awards and reimbursing child care providers.\nSchool age children are granted ONLY Part-time rates while in school. Full-time rates may apply to children registered in half day kindergarten upon confirmation of school schedule. All other school age children will have a Full-time Rate ONLY to be used for Holidays and School Breaks. GAP Solutions, Inc. encourages parents to submit each child’s school calendar to support any school breaks.
    Yes. Members starting another term of service with AmeriCorps are required to reapply; however, there may be instances where some supporting documentation from your previous application is still adequate. Please contact GAP Solutions, Inc. to find out which documents you are required to resubmit along with your new application. Please note that current income documentation and taxes must be submitted for every new term of service.
    You may contact GAP Solutions, Inc. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 8:00 AM to 6:00PM EST to ask questions about the AmeriCorps Child Care Program in general or inquire about your child care benefits. GAP Solutions, Inc. may be contact via email at: AmericorpsChildcare@gapsi.com or toll-free telephone number at 855- 886-0687.
    No. Members are not eligible for benefits while they are under suspension. However, if you are an AmeriCorps State and National Member and were placed in a temporary suspended status and you meet all of the below requirements, you may be eligible to receive up to 12 consecutive weeks of continued benefits:
    • The Member cannot not be suspended for cause and/or other disciplinary actions (for example, the member was given a temporary suspension under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA);
    • The Member must intend to return to service;
    • Member must certify he/she needs the continued benefit in order to be able to return to service.
    To ensure no lapse in coverage, the AmeriCorps State and National grantee must notify GAP Solutions in writing within five business days after a member’s status changes. Costs incurred due to the grantee’s failure to keep GAP Solutions immediately informed of changes in a member’s status may be charged to the grantee’s organization.

    AmeriCorps Child Care Program Fact Sheet

    AmeriCorps Child Care Benefit Program

    The AmeriCorps Child Care Benefit Program is available for qualified, active, full-time AmeriCorps VISTA, NCCC, and State and National Members who need the benefit to serve; eligibility requirements are listed below for each AmeriCorps program. Child care benefits are paid directly to qualified child care providers for all or of part of the member's child care costs during their active time of service with AmeriCorps; child care benefit payments cannot be paid directly to AmeriCorps members. Child care benefits may not exceed applicable payment rates as established in the state in which the child care is provided under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 42 USC 9801.


    Member Eligibility Requirements

    AmeriCorps State and National

    AmeriCorps child care benefits are available to full-time State and National members who qualify. To qualify for the child care benefit, the member must meet the following eligibility requirements:

    • The State and National member's household income must not exceed 75% of the state's median income for a family of the same size; this limit is different for each state and may change annually. The total household income is used to determine your income eligibility excluding your AmeriCorps State & National living allowance.
    • The member must not currently receive a child care subsidy from another source at the time of acceptance into the program (including a parent or guardian) which would continue to be provided while the member serves in the program.
    • The member must be the parent or legal guardian of a child under the age 13.
    • The child must reside with the member. The member must certify that he or she needs child care in order to participate in the AmeriCorps State and National program.

    AmeriCorps VISTA

    To qualify for the child care benefit, the VISTA member must meet the following requirements:

    • The VISTA member's household income must not exceed 75% of the state's median income for a family of the same size; this limit is different for each state and may change annually. The total household income is used to determine your income eligibility excluding your VISTA living allowance.
    • The member must not currently receive a child care subsidy from another source at the time of acceptance into the program (including a parent or guardian) which would continue to be provided while the member serves in the program.
    • The member must be the parent or legal guardian of a child under the age 13.
    • The child must reside with the member. The member must certify that he or she needs child care in order to participate in the VISTA program.
    A VISTA who is approved to receive the child care benefit may apply a portion of the subsidy to cover the cost for child care while the VISTA attends Pre-Service Orientation.

    AmeriCorps NCCC/FEMA Corps

    The amount of child care assistance an AmeriCorps NCCC/FEMA Corps member can receive is $400 per child per month. To qualify for the child care benefit, the NCCC member must meet the following requirements:

    • The member must be the parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of 13.
    • The child may not be physically living with the member (as the member's duty station will be at one of the NCCC Campuses)
    • The guardian or family member with whom the child is living must also be either:
      1) the child care provider, or
      2) the party responsible for selecting a child care provider for the eligible child.
      The identified child care provider however may not be the child's biological, step, or adoptive parent.
    • The benefit to be paid is $400 per month per child or the rate charged by the child care provider, whichever is the lesser amount.
    • Certifies that he or she needs child care in order to participate in the program.

    Child Care Provider Eligibility Requirements

    Child care benefits are paid to qualified child care providers for all or of part of the member's child care costs during their active time of service with AmeriCorps. Child care subsidy benefits are paid directly to qualified child care providers. Child care providers must meet eligibility requirements as regulated under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 42 USC 9801. Regulations vary by state and are subject to change annually. Child care providers*:

    • must be at least 18 years of age;
    • may not live in the same household as the member; and
    • may not be the child's biological, step, or adoptive parent, or the child's legal guardian, adult acting in loco parentis, or the spouse of a legal guardian or adult acting in loco parentis.

    Depending on the state in which the care is being provided, other blood relatives (factoring in exclusions listed above) may be used.

    Information on the Child Care and Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 42 USC 9801 and state/territory plans can be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ/resource/ccdf-grantee-state-and-territory-contacts.

    *For the NCCC, the guardian or family member with whom the child is living should also 1) be the child care provider or 2) serve as the responsible party in selecting an outside child care provider; the identified child care provider however may not be the child's biological, step, or adoptive parent. For example, while a guardian or family member may serve as the child care provider, that guardian or family member also has the option to select an outside child care provider (such as a licensed day care center) to provide services if they are needed.


    AmeriCorps Child Care Benefits Administration

    GAP Solutions, Inc. (GAPSI) administers the AmeriCorps Child Care Benefits Program for the Corporation for National and Community Service and therefore members must apply directly to GAPSI for the child care benefit. Interested and eligible members should visit the GAP Solutions, Inc. website at: www.americorpschildcare.com or call toll-free at 855-886-0687 for more information.


    Application Process

    How do I apply?

    Members and their selected Child Care Providers can apply online at americorpschildcare.com; or may download the paper application forms at www.americorpschildcare.com under the Forms section. All applications will require the submission of the following forms and supporting documentation. Uploading the documents via our online application and faxing are the most secure methods of sending documents to our office. If you do decide to email any of your documents, please ensure you encrypt the documents, then send the documents in one email and the password in a separate email. That will help protect your information from any unintended recipients.

    Member Forms and Supporting Documentation Required:

    • Member will supply all documents and forms per the Member and Provider Checklists to ensure a complete application packet.
    • Application - a completed and signed AmeriCorps Member Child Care Benefits Application.
    • AmeriCorps Enrollment Letter (may be required on a case by case basis)
    • A copy of a birth certificate for each child under 13 who needs child care services.
    • Legal Custody Documentation - if the member is not the biological parent of the child who needs child care services, the member must submit proof to show parental or guardian status, including: legal guardianship, adoptive parent, foster parent or step parent.
    • Income and Tax Documentation - official documentation to verify total salaries and wages for all adult members of the household, including 4 weeks of the most recent paycheck stubs, and a copy of the most recent federal income tax return.
    • Other Income - members must provide proof of all other household income for all household members, including: child support, SSI or other disability income, retirement income, social security benefits, unemployment benefits, alimony, veteran benefits, workers compensation benefits, AFDC and TANF. Additional documentation may be required for any other source of household income in accordance with the CCDF Block Grant program guidelines for the state or territory where the child care services are provided.
    • Please see the 'Member Checklist' for detailed instructions.

    Child Care Provider Forms and Supporting Documentation Required:

    • Member will supply all documents and forms per the Member and Provider Checklists to ensure a complete application packet.
    • Application - each child care provider must complete and sign an AmeriCorps Child Care Provider Application.
    • TaxTaxpayer and Business Documentation - documentation includes the provider SSN or TIN and completed IRS W-9 form.
    • Certifications - copy of the current child care provider license for each child care provider, or proof that they are licensed, regulated, or in compliance with the state or territory guidelines for an eligible child care provider under the CCDF Block Grant program.
    • Provider Billing Rates.
    • A completed Electronic Deposit Form is required for those enrolling in Electronic Deposit Payments.
    • Please see the 'Provider Checklist' for detailed application instructions.



    List of individual/state territory CCDF Plans (PDF)
    List of state Maximum Reimbursement Rates
    Child Care Fact Sheet
    Child Care FAQs

    AmeriCorps Child Care Provider State Guide

    The table below is to be used only as a guide. It will give you a general idea of the state requirements for child care providers, and what they need to be eligible to participate in the AmeriCorps Child Care benefit program. Please note that the State eligibility requirements for child care providers can change at any time. To verify if your provider of choice is eligible to participate in the AmeriCorps Child Care benefit program, contact GAP Solutions with your eligibility questions at 1-855-886-0687.

    Note: To be eligible, your provider of choice must be at least 18 years of age, not live in your household and may not be the biological parent.

    CHILD CARE PROVIDER TYPES
    STATE LICENSED CHILD CARE PROVIDERS LICENSED FAMILY & GROUP HOMES LICENSE EXEMPT (CHURCH, PUBLIC SCHOOL, YMCA) UNLICENSED (RELATIVE, FRIENDS, ETC.) *UNLICENSED PROVIDER REQUIREMENTS
    Alabama YES YES YES YES* Relative providers exempt from requirements; all other must comply with Health and Safety Requirements, monitoring inspections and criminal background checks. Such must have passed State approval to operate without a license.
    Alaska YES YES YES YES
    Arizona YES YES YES YES Relative Providers are approved for payment. All others must be to participate. To get certified click here for information.
    Arkansas YES YES YES* YES* Relative providers caring for 5 or less children are approved; others must be registered to participate. Organizations: Churches are exempt; others must have an afterschool license to participate; also known as Out of School Time license.
    California YES YES YES YES* Unrelated unlicensed providers must be registered with TrustLine to participate.
    Colorado YES YES YES YES Relative providers are approved; a Member Affidavit is required. All other unlicensed providers not approved for subsidy payments.
    Connecticut YES YES YES YES Care by a relative is approved; or by a non-relative in the child's home. FFN (Family, Friend, Neighbor care is exempt from licensing requirements). Must be in child's home.
    Delaware YES YES YES NO
    Florida YES YES YES NO* Most counties do not allow unlicensed care. If permitted, unlicensed providers must register and complete Florida's background check. Click here for information. Blood relatives are not required to be registered.
    Georgia YES YES YES YES A child care license is needed if caring for more than 3 children.
    Hawaii YES YES YES YES* Blood relatives are exempt from licensing requirement.
    Idaho YES YES YES YES* Unlicensed providers to include blood relatives, must be registered with the state to participate. Click here to information on getting registered.
    Illinois YES YES YES* YES* Licensed exempt centers must submit a copy of their Letter of Exemption from DCFS before they can participate. Letter of exemption is valid for 2 years. For all other unlicensed providers, the AmeriCorps Member must complete the Member Affidavit.
    STATE LICENSED CHILD CARE PROVIDERS LICENSED FAMILY & GROUP HOMES LICENSE EXEMPT (CHURCH, PUBLIC SCHOOL, YMCA) UNLICENSED (RELATIVE, FRIENDS, ETC.) *UNLICENSED PROVIDER REQUIREMENTS
    Indiana YES YES YES YES All unlicensed providers must become a CCDF Certified. Click here to information on getting certified. Provider will need a current First Aid/CPR Certification to complete certification.
    Iowa YES YES YES YES* Unlicensed providers are exempt. Providers with 5 or more unrelated children must be registered and complete Iowa's child care background checks. Must also have valid First Aid and CPR training to participate. Click here to get registered.
    Kansas YES YES YES YES* Non-relative unlicensed providers must pass the Child Abuse and Neglect registry check to participate. Click here.
    Kentucky YES YES YES YES* Allows for existing registered unlicensed providers (more information can be found here); Blood relatives are ok to use.
    Louisiana YES YES YES NO
    Maine YES YES YES YES* Blood relatives are exempt from ALL requirements
    Maryland YES YES NO YES
    Massachusetts YES YES YES NO
    Michigan YES YES YES YES* Unlicensed must complete a 7 hour Great Start to Quality course. Click here. You can complete the 10 hour course to qualify for higher reimbursement rates.
    Minnesota YES YES YES YES* Unlicensed providers must have valid First Aid and CPR training.
    Mississippi YES YES YES NO
    Missouri YES YES YES YES Individuals caring for four or less unrelated children are licensed exempt and no cap on the number of related children up to the third degree (CCDF page 107 and 113)
    Montana YES YES YES YES
    Nebraska YES YES YES YES* Blood relatives are exempt from requirements
    Nevada YES YES YES NO
    New Hampshire YES YES YES NO
    STATE LICENSED CHILD CARE PROVIDERS LICENSED FAMILY & GROUP HOMES LICENSE EXEMPT (CHURCH, PUBLIC SCHOOL, YMCA) UNLICENSED (RELATIVE, FRIENDS, ETC.) *UNLICENSED PROVIDER REQUIREMENTS
    New Jersey YES YES YES NO
    New Mexico YES YES YES YES* Only registered family homes are approved to use.
    New York YES YES YES YES
    North Carolina YES YES YES* NO Unlicensed relative are not exempt by the state of NC. NC only exempts faith based programs that hold a notice of compliance
    North Dakota YES YES YES YES* Relative Providers ONLY
    Ohio YES YES YES* NO Day Camps must be accredited by the ACA and have annual ACA certificate and day camp registration.
    Oklahoma YES YES YES YES* Unlicensed providers are eligible to participate if care is provided in the member's home (in home care) or if by a relative.
    Oregon YES YES YES YES* Unlicensed care is allowed; however the childcare provider must be listed with the state of Oregon as an approved child care provider. Benefit will be effective from date of listing.
    Pennsylvania YES YES YES YES
    Puerto Rico YES YES NO YES* Unlicensed providers must have valid First Aid and CPR certificates. (Relative Providers are not required this training)
    Rhode Island YES YES NO NO
    South Carolina YES YES YES YES
    South Dakota YES YES YES YES Relative Providers are approved the unregulated rate. Unregulated rate is approved also to unregulated providers only providing care for one family. Other providers must be registered. Click here.
    Tennessee YES YES YES YES
    Texas YES YES NO YES* ALL unlicensed providers must be registered or listed with the state to participate. Click here for information. Relatives don't need to be listed to participate. ALL unlicensed providers must be registered or listed with the state to participate. Click here for information. Relatives don't need to be listed to participate.
    Utah YES YES YES YES* Unlicensed providers must be registered with the state to participate. Click here to be approved for FFN. Blood relatives are exempt.
    Vermont YES YES YES YES* Exempt if caring for children of up to 2 families. If caring for more than 2 families must be registered. Click here for information on getting registered.
    Virgin Islands YES YES NO NO
    STATE LICENSED CHILD CARE PROVIDERS LICENSED FAMILY & GROUP HOMES LICENSE EXEMPT (CHURCH, PUBLIC SCHOOL, YMCA) UNLICENSED (RELATIVE, FRIENDS, ETC.) *UNLICENSED PROVIDER REQUIREMENTS
    Virginia YES YES YES* YES Programs holding a vendor agreement can participate. If your program is not yet exempted as a subsidy provider, you can apply to be approved. To become a subsidy provider click here for information. Provider must show they have vendor agreement as proof that they are approved as subsidy provider. Unlicensed providers caring for 4 or less unrelated children are exempt from requirement.
    Washington YES YES YES YES* Can only use unlicensed providers that are already certified by the state. (blood relatives are exempt from the requirement). Click here if you are a provider who would like to get certified.
    Washington DC YES YES YES YES* District of Columbia exempts only blood relative providers.
    West Virginia YES YES YES* YES* In home care by relative providers is allowed. Exempt centers (out of school time programs) must be registered to participate. Click here.
    Wisconsin YES YES YES YES* Can only use unlicensed providers that are already certified by the state. https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cccertification/ccc-directories. (blood relatives are exempt from the requirement). Click here if you are a provider who would like to get certified.
    Wyoming YES YES YES YES

    Types of Child Care Providers

    The following are definitions and descriptions of types of child care providers from which you may select to hire for your child. In choosing a child care provider, take into account your state's CCDF requirements specially if choosing to hire an unlicensed provider. When choosing a provider for your child, take into account the age and developmental needs of the child and the ability of the child care provider to meet and foster those needs as well as the positive reinforcement the child care provider will offer your child. Please point your child care provider to americorpschildcare.com to help answer many of their questions related to the AmeriCorps Child Care Reimbursement program.

    Child Care Center:
    Established licensed setting where children are cared for in a group away from their homes for all or part of the day. Child care Centers include nursery schools, preschools, and Parent Cooperatives. The objectives of Centers vary, from taking care of children whose parents are working, to preparing the children for school. Child care Centers provide care for groups of children ranging in an age from infancy through school age.

    License Exempt Centers:
    Certain states may allow certain licensing exemptions for centers if they are part of a public or private organized educational system (a school or facility operated by a religious institution caring for children during short periods of time). Also, recreational center based programs whose purpose is to provide social, recreational, or religious activities for school age children, such as scouting, boys club, girls club, sports, or the arts may also be license exempt. Please check with GAP Solutions to learn about specific license exemptions allowed by your state.

    School Age Program:
    A program offering before and or after school care to children enrolled in kindergarten or higher grades. These programs may operate from school buildings or other licensed facilities and may be operated by the school itself, parent groups or local Child care Centers. The purpose of School-Age Programs is primarily to provide care for children during such times of the day when regular school classes are not in session. They are not intended to extend or replace regular school classes.

    Family Child Care Home:
    A private home where a child care provider provides child care services for children from infancy through school age. The care is provided at the home of the child care provider (not in the child's home). Family Day Care is licensed or registered by the State in which the child care provider resides. The number of children allowed in a Family Day Care Home varies depending on the number of adults providing care in the home setting.

    Group Child Care Home:
    A private home where two or more child care providers provide child care services and education for (7) or more (usually a total of about 12) children in a private home and who employ on or more paid assistants to meet child-to-staff ratio requirements. Group Day Care is licensed or registered by the state in which the Child care providers reside.

    In-Home Child Care:
    Care is provided by a non-relative who comes into the child's home to provide care. Sometimes the child care provider brings his/her own children. Generally speaking, the child care provider provides services through a personal agreement with the parent(s) and works without training or professional affiliations. (May not be legal in your state).

    Relative Care:
    Care usually provided by an aunt, uncle or grandparent of the child. Care may be provided in the relative's or the child's home. (May not be legal in your state. Contact GAP Solutions, Inc. for more information) or refer to your state's CCDF Plan.

    Privacy Statement

    The personal information that is solicited on this form is needed to determine your eligibility and later to disburse payments on behalf of the AmeriCorps Member. We solicit your name, address, phone numbers, date of birth for children needing care to determine your eligibility for the childcare benefit. From the child care provider, the primary purpose for soliciting a social security number/ Tax Identification number, banking information, phone number and home address is to help facilitate payments of your benefit to them on your behalf. Gap Solutions is committed to ensuring that any personal information received is safeguarded against unauthorized disclosure. The data you provide is voluntary and subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) and the agency's privacy policy. Collection of the information you provide is authorized by the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and the Serve America Act of 2009 (Pub. L. No. 111-13). If you choose not to disclose your personal data, it could impact your ability to receive payment or other benefits or the agency to process your application. Use of the information collected based on this form is restricted to the purposes cited in this privacy statement or unless the disclosure is otherwise permitted under the provisions of the Privacy Act. This information may be released to appropriate federal, state, and local agencies, when relevant, and to civil, criminal, or regulatory investigators and prosecutors. For information on routine uses authorized in the Federal Register notice governing this system of records, please visit https://www.federalregister.gov/index/2018.

    Privacy Act Statement: Authorities – This information is requested pursuant to the National and Community Service Act of 1990 as amended (42 USC 12501 et seq.), the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 as amended (42 USC 4950 et seq.), and E.O. 9397 as amended. Purposes – It is requested to manage, administer, and evaluate the child care benefits program offered to eligible AmeriCorps Service Members. Routine Uses – Routine uses of this information may include disclosure to (1) contractors to assist with administering the child care benefit, (2) individuals and organizations providing child care, and (3) federal, state, or local agencies pursuant to lawfully authorized requests. Effects of Nondisclosure – This request is voluntary, but not providing the information will likely affect your ability to receive child care benefits.

    OMB Control Number: 3045-0142 expires 12-31-2021.

    Your e-mail

    We welcome your comments or questions about our websites and have provided e-mail boxes for that purpose. We will share your comments and questions with our customer service representatives and those employees most capable of addressing your questions and concerns.

    Please note that your e-mail, like most, if not all, non-encrypted Internet e-mail communications, may be accessed and viewed by other Internet users, without your knowledge and permission, while in transit to us. For that reason, to protect your privacy, please do not use e-mail to communicate information to us that you consider confidential. If you wish, you may contact us instead via non-cellular telephone at the numbers provided at various locations on our sites.

    There are some locations on GAP Solutions Inc.'s websites where we have made special provisions for a more secure environment in which we can exchange information with you. At each of these locations, we will provide you with appropriate instructions.

    Other information; "cookies" and "tags"

    You should also be aware that when you visit our websites, we collect certain information that does not identify you personally, but provides us with "usage data," such as the number of visitors we receive or what pages are visited most often. This data helps us to analyze and improve the usefulness of the information we provide at these websites.

    Like most commercial website owners, we may use what is known as "cookie" technology. A "cookie" is an element of data that a website can send to your browser when you link to that website. It is not a computer program and has no ability to read data residing on your computer or instruct it to perform any step or function. By assigning a unique data element to each visitor, the website is able to recognize repeat users, track usage patterns and better serve you when you return to that site. The cookie does not extract other personal information about you, such as your name or address.

    We may also use what is known as "client-side page tagging", which uses code on each page to write certain information about the page and the visitor to a log when a page is rendered by your web browser. This technique is also commonly used on commercial websites. "Tagging" does result in a JavaScript program running on your computer, but it is limited to providing information about the page that you are requesting and the configuration of your browser. It will not read any of your data files, or execute any additional programs. It does not extract any personal information about you, such as your name or address. You can prevent tagging by disabling JavaScript in your browser, but that may prevent you from using all of our website's functions.

    Linking to other sites

    From time to time, GAP Solutions Inc. websites may provide links to other websites, not owned or controlled by GAP Solutions Inc., that we think might be useful or of interest to you. We cannot, however, be responsible for the privacy practices used by other website owners or the content or accuracy of those other websites. Links to various non-GAP Solutions Inc. websites do not constitute or imply endorsement by GAP Solutions Inc. of these websites, any products or services described on these sites, or of any other material contained in them.

    Security

    GAP Solutions Inc. has adopted and adheres to stringent security standards designed to protect non-public personal information at www.GAPSI.com against accidental or unauthorized access or disclosure. Among the safeguards that GAP Solutions Inc. has developed for this site are administrative, physical and technical barriers that together form a protective firewall around the information stored at this site. We periodically subject our site to simulated intrusion tests and have developed comprehensive disaster recovery plans.

    Changes to this statement

    GAP Solutions Inc. may change this statement from time to time; when updates are made, the privacy policy version date (located at the bottom of this policy) will also be updated to reflect that a revision occurred. We encourage you to periodically reread this policy to see if there have been any changes that may affect you. This statement is not intended to and does not create any contractual or other legal rights in or on behalf of any party.



    Privacy policy update: 11/06/2019

    Contact



    Contact

    ATTN: AmeriCorps Childcare Program
    205 Van Buren St.
    Ste. 205
    Herndon, VA 20170
    Phone: (855) 886-0687
    Email: AmeriCorpsChildCare@gapsi.com
    Fax: 1-800-521-5415

    You are accessing a U.S. Government information system. This information system, including all related equipment, networks, and network devices, is provided for U.S. Government-authorized use only. Unauthorized or improper use of this system is prohibited, and may result in civil and criminal penalties, or administrative disciplinary action. The communications and data stored or transiting this system may be, for any lawful Government purpose, monitored, recorded, and subject to audit or investigation. By logging into and using this system, you confirm that you have read and understand the system privacy statement and understand and consent to such terms.

    Privacy Act Statement: Authorities – This information is requested pursuant to the National and Community Service Act of 1990 as amended (42 USC 12501 et seq.), the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 as amended (42 USC 4950 et seq.), and E.O. 9397 as amended. Purposes – It is requested to manage, administer, and evaluate the child care benefits program offered to eligible AmeriCorps Service Members. Routine Uses – Routine uses of this information may include disclosure to (1) contractors to assist with administering the child care benefit, (2) individuals and organizations providing child care, and (3) federal, state, or local agencies pursuant to lawfully authorized requests. Effects of Nondisclosure – This request is voluntary, but not providing the information will likely affect your ability to receive child care benefits. Additional Information – The applicable system of records notice is CNCS-06-CPO-ACB-AmeriCorps Child Care Benefit System (ACB) [84 FR 46002].

    OMB Control Number: 3045-0142 expires 12-31-2021.

    The Privacy Impact Assessment for this system is available here.


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