CAPS Increased Infant and Toddler Rates

December 18, 2018 

Dear CAPS Child Care Provider, 

I am writing to inform you of an upcoming change that will positively impact programs that serve infants and toddlers. The CAPS Maximum Reimbursement Rate for infants and toddlers will increase on January 1, 2019. This rate adjustment, which will increase access to affordable, high quality care for infants and toddlers, is one of the initiatives being funded by the additional discretionary funding DECAL received from the federal Child Care and Development Fund. 

Providers who serve infants and toddlers will receive an additional $520-$1,040 per child per year, depending on zone, provider type, and age group. Quality Rated providers will receive an additional $572-$1,456 per child per year, depending on the previously mentioned factors and their star rating. To learn more about the new rates, visit the CAPS Reimbursement Rates chart or CAPS Funding web page.

Where can providers find the updated rates? 

After January 1, 2019, log into your account at https://max.gacaps.com and click on “view active certificates.” Click on each child’s name to see the scholarship certificate details. Note the CAPS weekly rate and CAPS weekly amount to provider.

If you have trouble logging into your account or have questions about billing, contact Maximus at (877) 755-6522. 

CAPS families with an infant or toddler will receive new scholarship certificates in early January. The CAPS assessed family fee is not impacted by these rate changes; however, if your program charges a weekly rate greater than the CAPS maximum reimbursement, the amount you charge the family may be impacted. You may receive a greater amount from CAPS and be able to collect a smaller amount from the family. 

• For example, the current CAPS maximum rate in Atlanta (Zone 1) at a child care learning center for a two-year-old who receives full-time care is $129. In January this rate will increase to $144. Depending on provider rates and family fee amounts, this could reduce a family’s out of pocket expenses by up to $15 per week. 

Thank you again for all that you do to provide high quality early learning environments for our families. 

Sincerely, 

Elisabetta Kasfir

Deputy Commissioner for Federal Programs