October 31, 2024 will be the expiration date for all checks that have not previously expired.

Early Child Care Development Initiative Resources

Program Information

Webinar Recording Videos

Video Walkthroughs

Applicant Portal Walkthrough

Provider Portal Walkthrough

General Q&A

General Q&A

What is CCPP?

The Child Care Payment Program (CCPP) is administered by the Division for Early Childhood Care and Development (DECCD) at the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) and is designed to assist low-income Mississippi families by offering a seamless system of high-quality child care through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) subsidy program.

Current as of 11.15.23

How do I know if my employer is a CCPP?

The owner and/or director at your employer should know if it is a CCPP participating provider.

You can also search the provider on the MDHS provider search site. If a provider is a CCPP it will have the following “Accepts MDHS Subsidy Children” listed under provider information. Click here to go to MDHS provider serach.

Current as of 11.15.23

What is the program period?

The program period is September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024.

Current as of 11.15.23

What if I change jobs during the program period?

A recipient will remain eligible after being awarded funds from direct incentives or scholarship programs, as long as they remain in the childcare industry. Additional information will be requested should such an employment change occur. If you have a change in employment, please contact the [email protected] to avoid a pause in payments.

Current as of 11.15.23

What if I stop working at a CCPP participating provider?

Payments will stop right away.

Current as of 11.15.23

Are there any expectations after I participate in one of the programs?

After the programs cease in September 2024, it is requested that you remain in the child care industry for a one-year period following the completion of the program.

Current as of 11.15.23

What is the letter of suitability?

MDHS issues letters of suitability to confirm that the staff member has completed the requisite criminal background checks and is deemed suitable to work or volunteer in a childcare facility. No individual may work or volunteer in a childcare center that cares for CCDF children until the facility receives notification from MDHS verifying the employee’s suitability for employment.

Current as of 11.15.23

Direct Incentive Program –

This opportunity has closed

Direct Incentive Program –

This opportunity has closed

What is the direct incentive program?

It is a program dedicated to recognizing and rewarding the hard work and dedication of individual employees within Child Care Payment Program (CCPP) participating childcare programs. Employees may be eligible to receive monthly incentives disbursed for the duration of the program.

Current as of 11.15.23

How are the DI payments taxed?

Direct incentive payments are taxed as normal income. We encourage you to consult a tax professional to determine how the direct incentive payments may affect your individual tax situation. Additionally, we will be sending out your tax documentation for the 2024 calendar year in January 2025.

Current as of 7.16.24

What happens if I do not continue to work in child care after the program ends?

All applicants are committed to working in the childcare sector for a minimum of 1 year following the end of the initative. We understand that each applicant’s situation may be unique, and some applicants may be in a situation where they need to leave the childcare sector prior to the full year commitment period ending. We will not deny any applicants based upon a hypothetical change in status of employment, however all program funds can be subject to recoupment.

Current as of 7.16.24

Direct Incentive Program for Directors

This opportunity has closed

Direct Incentive Program for Directors

This opportunity has closed

What is the Director Direct Incentive?

The Director Direct Incentive is for directors who are employed by the Child Care Payment Program (CCPP) participating providers and may be eligible to receive monthly incentive payments for the duration of the program.

Current as of 4.19.24

Will I be taxed on these payments?

Yes, all recipients will receive a 1099 Form. Businesses are required to issue a 1099 Form to a taxpayer (other than a corporation) who has received at least $600 or more in non-employment income during the tax year.

Current as of 4.19.24

Scholarship Payment Program

This opportunity has closed

What is the Scholarship Payment Program?

Our Scholarship Payment Program is committed to supporting eligible employees in Child Care Payment Program (CCPP) facilities as they pursue higher education in the field of child development. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden associated with obtaining/ renewing either a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and/or an Early Childhood Development Technology Associate degree from accredited community colleges in Mississippi.

Current as of 3.5.24

Is the incentive for the CDA Incentive opportunity taxable?

  • Yes, these funds are taxable income.

Current as of 3.5.24

Scholarship Payment Program

CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE (CDA) CREDENTIAL – NEW

This opportunity has closed

Scholarship Payment Program

CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE (CDA) CREDENTIAL – NEW

This opportunity has closed

What is the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential?

The Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential is based on a core set of competency standards, which guide early learning professionals as they work toward becoming highly qualified teachers of young children. The process for earning a Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential is outlined on the CDA Council website.

Current as of 1.31.24

What is the contact information for the CDA Council?

Current as of 1.31.24

What is the contact information for Teachstone®?

Current as of 1.31.24

Is the CDA Credential funding taxable?

  • This opportunity is taxed. We encourage you to consult a tax professional to determine how the education opportunity may impact your individual tax situation. We will be sending out your tax documentation for the 2024 calendar year in early 2025.

Current as of 7.16.24

Scholarship Payment Program

CHILD DEVELOPMENT aSSOCIATE (CDA) CREDENTIAL – RENEWAL

This opportunity has closed

Scholarship Payment Program

CHILD DEVELOPMENT aSSOCIATE (CDA) CREDENTIAL – RENEWAL

This opportunity has closed

Is the CDA renewal funding taxable?

  • This opportunity is taxed. We encourage you to consult a tax professional to determine how the education opportunity may impact your individual tax situation. We will be sending out your tax documentation for the 2024 calendar year in early 2025.

 

Current as of 7.16.24

Scholarship Payment Program

ASSOCIATE DEGREE

This opportunity has closed

Scholarship Payment Program

ASSOCIATE DEGREE

This opportunity has closed

School-Age Reimbursement

This opportunity has closed

School-Age Reimbursement

This opportunity has closed

What is the School Age Reimbursement Program?

Our School Age Reimbursement Program supports childcare providers who extended full-time care to school-aged children during pandemic-related closures and similar periods when the providers were only paid part-time rates.

 

Current as of 2.19.24

Start Up Cost Reimbursement

This opportunity has closed.

Start Up Cost Reimbursement

This opportunity has closed.

What is the Start-Up Cost Reimbursement Program?

The Start-Up Cost Reimbursement Program is designed to aid new Child Care Payment Program (CCPP) participating providers in Mississippi who have partnered with Wonderschool Academy. The application will be opening in early May and eligible providers will be emailed an invitation to apply based on Wonderschool Academy’s records.

Will I be taxed on these payments?

Yes, all recipients will receive a 1099 Form. Businesses are required to issue a 1099 Form to a taxpayer (other than a corporation) who has received at least $600 or more in non-employment income during the tax year.

Room Refresh Program

This opportunity has closed

What is the Room Refresh Program?

The Room Refresh Program is designed to aid existing Child Care Payment Program (CCPP) participating providers in Mississippi to upgrade their teaching environments.

Current as of 5.13.24

Will I be taxed on these payments?

Yes, all recipients will receive a 1099 Form. Businesses are required to issue a 1099 Form to a taxpayer (other than a corporation) who has received at least $600 or more in non-employment income during the tax year.

Current as of 5.13.24

Will the centers be taxed for the supplies? Will tax-exempt centers be taxed?

These materials are taxible. We encourage you to consult a tax professional to determine how the Room Refresh Program may affect your tax situation. Additionally, we will be sending out your tax documentation for the 2024 calendar year in January 2025.

 

Current as of 7.16.24

MS Department of Human Services logo

Early Child Care Development Initiative

The Child Care Payment Program is administered by the Mississippi Department of Human Services.