HB 2288 Summary

• Establishes child care assistance vouchers at higher reimbursement rates for quality early childhood education programs serving low-income and minority children.

• Eligible families include foster families with children in Department of Child Safety custody, families at risk of child removal, families receiving temporary assistance for needy families, and low-income working families below 165 percent of federal poverty level.

• Providers qualify for the higher voucher rate if they are Head Start grantees, have a 3-5 star Quality First rating from the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board, or hold national accreditation recognized by the Department of Education.

• Reimbursement rate equals the lesser of the 75th percentile of the most recent market rate survey or the Quality First Scholarship rate determined by the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board.