The Defense Department updated guidance for community-based providers in Virginia participating in the military child care fee assistance program, Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) and MCCYN-PLUS.
As you may know, Virginia’s new state law state law, requires all publicly funded early education programs to participate in the Virginia Board of Education’s unified measurement and improvement system, VQB5.
On August 1, 2024, you were notified that VQB5 enrollment is now mandatory for those receiving military fee assistance and that failure to register would result in the loss of this assistance. To minimize disruption for military families, the Defense Department has updated the guidance for providers to ensure payments continue smoothly.
Providers with a DoD-approved accreditation or a quality level rating of “Meets Expectations” or higher in VQB5 will always be the first choice for military children; however, providers with a quality rating below “Meets Expectations” may be eligible based on family eligibility.
The following guidance applies to existing providers participating in MCCYN and MCCYN-PLUS prior to October 1, 2024:
Licensed-Only Providers: If you are a licensed-only provider currently serving military families, and choose not to participate in VQB5, you will continue receiving fee assistance for your existing military families until the youngest child in your care ages out, the family dis-enrolls, or you become noncompliant with state licensing or other MCCYN program requirements. Your facility will not be eligible for any new military families requesting fee assistance unless you enroll in VQB5 during the open registration cycle from August 15 – October 1, 2024.
Accredited Providers: You will maintain eligibility for military fee assistance regardless of your VQB5 status. Section 1798 of Title 10, United States Code permits the Department of Defense to provide fee assistance to any provider who is licensed under applicable State and local law and is a provider of a category of child care services determined by the Secretary of Defense as appropriate for meeting the needs of members of the armed forces or employees of the Department of Defense. As a nationally accredited provider, you are in the category of child care services determined to meet the needs of Service members and their families and are eligible for military child care fee assistance provided you continue to be licensed. Nonetheless, enrolling in VQB5 will support your programs continued efforts to improve quality care for all children along with being eligible for additional state benefits.
The following guidance applies to all new providers interested in participating in MCCYN and MCCYN-PLUS after October 1, 2024:
Licensed-Only Providers: As a licensed-only provider, you must be enrolled in VQB5 to be eligible to participate in the military fee assistance program MCCYN-PLUS.
Accredited Providers: As a nationally accredited provider, you are eligible to participate in MCCYN regardless of your VQB5 status. Section 1798 of Title 10, United States Code permits the Department of Defense to provide fee assistance to any provider who is licensed under applicable State and local law and is a provider of a category of child care services determined by the Secretary of Defense as appropriate for meeting the needs of members of the armed forces or employees of the Department of Defense. As a nationally accredited provider, you are in the category of child care services determined to meet the needs of Service members and their families and are eligible for military child care fee assistance provided you continue to be licensed. Nonetheless, enrolling in VQB5 will support your programs continued efforts to improve quality care for all children along with being eligible for additional state benefits.
For more information, please refer to the updated VQB5 materials:
- VQB5 for Families
- VQB5 Quality Profiles Website
- 2024-2025 VQB5 Guidelines Overview Webinar Recording (approx. 1 hr.)
- New VQB5 Participation Website Sub-page (resources/info about participation requirements)
Additional Resources:
State QRIS Contact Information:
For more information about your state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), please contact your state QRIS representative.
Program Name: VDOE Quality Measurement and Improvement (VQB5)
Website: VDOE Quality Measurement and Improvement (VQB5)
Email: vqb5@doe.virginia.gov
Ready Region Contact Information: Ready-Region-Contact.pdf (childcareaware.org)
