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DES Contracted Child Care Centers and Group Homes

Children’s access to high quality child care supports their social and emotional, cognitive and physical development. A high quality, child-centered environment promotes their creativity and learning, providing children many opportunities to develop important skills and tools that they will use to succeed in school and life.

Greater access to quality child care begins with Arizona’s child care providers who contract with DES to accept reimbursement for eligible children. All DES contracted child care providers must complete a child care provider registration agreement and keep all information on file with DES up-to-date.

DES Child Care Provider Registration Agreement (PRA)

To become a DES contracted child care center or group home, child care providers must review, sign and return a DES Provider Registration Agreement (PRA) and PRA Amendment form. The PRA and the PRA amendment can be reviewed and submitted with the following links:

Read Provider Registration Agreement

Submit Provider Registration Agreement

Read PRA Amendment 1

Submit PRA Amendment 1

For questions, please email the Provider Network and Support team at [email protected].

Provider Resources

DES Provider Forms

Provider Registration Agreement Documents

Centralized Background Check Information

Applicants and employees working in direct service positions with (or providing care for) children or vulnerable adults in Arizona must use the Arizona Centralized Background Checks (CBC) web portal to request background checks from the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) Central Registry and the Adult Protective Services (APS) Registry, and receive status updates on Fingerprint Clearance Cards through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS).

  • Applicants and employees in Arizona who work in direct service positions with children or vulnerable adults must use the Arizona Centralized Background Checks (CBC) web portal.
  • The portal is used to request background checks from the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) Central Registry.
  • It is also used to request background checks from the Adult Protective Services (APS) Registry.
  • Through the portal, users can receive status updates on Fingerprint Clearance Cards.
  • These updates come from the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Additional information, including User Guides and Video Tutorials, can be found on the DES Centralized Background Checks webpage.

In addition, click on the links below for answers to your frequently asked questions:

Contact Your Contract Specialist 

If you have questions about your contract with DES, please reach out to the Provider Network and Support team. The team is available Monday through Friday at [email protected].

Provider Registration Agreement (PRA) 2021-2026 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What do I need to be sure is complete before submitting my Registration Agreement for approval?

First, providers should review the Quick Reference Guide, the Roadmap to contracting with DES, the full Provider Registration Agreement and PRA Amendment 1.

Providers must ensure the following is complete and accurate before submitting the agreement:

  • Completed Centralized Background Check (CBC).
  • Providers must register their center, and staff must individually complete the background checks. For more resources, visit the DES CBC resource page.
  • Basic Billing Training: The owner and individual(s) who are responsible for completing billing, must complete and pass the computer-based training, DE5417-Basic Billing for DCC Providers, that is accessible online via the TraCorp portal.
  • A copy of the transcript must be submitted to the provider’s corresponding DES Licensing Surveyor. Please write the facility’s DES-assigned number which starts with a “P” on the transcript, if one has been assigned.
  • Completed Disaster Emergency Evacuation Preparedness (D.E.E.P.™) online training that is accessible on the Arizona Department of Health Services website. Note: In order to access the DHS D.E.E.P. training, you must download the PDF file and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the training. Once the training is complete you must fill out the Empower Program acknowledgement form and upload it with the DES application
  • A Disaster Preparedness Plan must be submitted to DES with your contract renewal packet. If you do not have a Disaster Preparedness Plan, you may submit the completed DHS Emergency Evacuation Preparedness Workbook.

I am a new DES Provider, what information do I enter in place of a P number?

  • You will not need to provide a P number in the PRA application. Once the PRA application is approved you will receive a P number.

What is the DES daily rate?

Effective November 1, 2022, DES converted to Full Day Rates: All DES rates will be made at a daily unit reimbursement rate. Units of Care are represented by a daily rate of 15 minutes or more. Attendance 14 minutes or less is not a payable unit of care. In addition, the copay levels were changed. The minimum required Copay per child for full day rates is between $.50 to $2.50.

I have not been assigned anyone from DES, who do I contact?

If you are a new DES contracted Provider, you will be assigned a DES Licensing Surveyor after your Provider Registration Agreement has been approved. If you have questions, please submit them to [email protected]. Please include your name and provider number if you have one.

Where can I find help for completing my PRA application?

You can review the Quick Reference Guide, but if you still need support, you can contact [email protected].

Are there any resources to assist with rate setting?

Providers are encouraged to consult the AZToolkit resources and templates to learn more about full enrollment best practices, tuition and full fee collection, covering the cost per child, and rate setting. Log into your AZToolkit account and follow this pathway to access rate setting resources: Home > Successful Program Management > Financial Management > Budget Planning & Preparation.

For technical assistance or support finding AZToolkit resources: [email protected]

Are there any changes to the Paid Absences claim?

Yes. Effective October 1, 2021, DES contracted child care providers are able to claim up to 5 paid absences.

Do I have to submit a background check on behalf of my staff?

No. As the owner of a child care facility/home center, you must register your center within the Centralized Background Check (CBC) portal. Staff must individually complete the background check through the CBC portal themselves. In order to remain active in the CBC portal. you will need to update your profile annually.

To find more resources on how to set up an account and how to complete a background check, visit the DES Centralized Background Checks (CBC) resource page.

I need help navigating the Centralized Background Check Portal. What are some helpful tips?

There are various videos and manual guides on how to complete the CBC process, both as an employer and staff member, online within the DES CBC page.

What do I need to do to participate in the Empower Program?

The facility must be registered, and maintain compliance with, the Empower Program which is accessible on the Department of Health Services (DHS) website. An Empower Program acknowledgement form must be submitted within your DES PRA application.

What are the Emergency Preparedness requirements?

A Disaster Preparedness Plan must be submitted to DES with your contract renewal packet. Providers must also complete the Disaster Emergency Evacuation Preparedness (D.E.E.P.™) online training completion that is accessible on the DHS website. Note: In order to access the training, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, download the PDF file, and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the training.

How do I access the Foundations 1: Moving Forward with Expulsion Prevention training on the Workforce Registry?

This training is currently available, with in-person and online options, on the Workforce Registry at Arizona Early Childhood Workforce Registry website.

Search for Foundations 1: Locate and click on “Find Training Event.” Next, click the “DES pre-Service Areas.” In the window that pops up check the box for Foundations 1 and “save.” This will show you a list of available scheduled options as well as the CCEI option which can be taken anytime. More information on the Suspension and Expulsion Prevention program is available on the DES Child Care website.

I do not transport children. Do I have to have Business Automobile Liability Insurance for $1 million?

Based on the fact that the Provider(s) will not be utilizing an automobile for the performance of this contracted service, child care services, the Arizona Department of Economic Security can waive the provision specified in the Special Terms and Conditions, Section 5.18.2 Business Automobile Liability. You will need to answer the questions in the PRA application regarding this waiver request.

Should the Provider decide to utilize an automobile for the performance of this contract, the Provider shall ensure compliance with the requirement as written in the Special Terms and Conditions, Section 15.18.2 and contact your DES Compliance Specialist immediately.

Child Care Rates FAQs

What are the new rates for child care providers effective November 1, 2025?

Enhanced Rate for Quality

  • 40% for providers with:
    • Quality First 3, 4, or 5-star rating,
    • National accreditation by a DES accepted accreditation agency or;
    • a Head Start compliant program that applies HS standards across the entire child care program.
  • Applies to:
    • DHS-licensed centers
    • DHS-certified group homes that are contracted with DES to serve eligible children
    • DES-certified family child care providers

Special Needs Rate

  • $89.81 for DHS-licensed centers and DHS-certified group homes, as well as DES-certified family child care providers who meet the quality definition.

Maximum daily reimbursement rates will remain unchanged and are based on:

  • 75th percentile of the 2022 Market Rate Survey for children under 1 year
  • 50th percentile of the 2022 Market Rate Survey for ages 1-12
  • The Maximum Reimbursement Rates for Child Care form (CCA-1227A) can be found on the DES Document Center.

With the November 1, 2025 rate changes, do I need to complete a new Provider/Parent/Guardian’s Agreement for Child Care Charges form with all my families who receive child care assistance?

Yes. Providers currently receiving the quality enhanced rate or the special needs rate will need to work with families to update the Parents/Guardians Agreement for Child Care Charges. This form is available in the DES Documents Center for families in Provider/Parent/Guardian's Agreement for Child Care Changes (English) and Provider/Parent/Guardian's Agreement for Child Care Changes (Spanish).

Where can DES Maximum Reimbursement Rates be found?

The updated Maximum Reimbursement Rates for Child Care form (CCA-1227A) is located within the DES Document Center.

Do providers reflect a reimbursement rate of a full day even if a child is present under six hours? If so, does the parent owe a copay?

A Unit of Care is represented by a daily rate (“D” or "P") of care (15 minutes or more) on the AZCCATS Billing Document, Certificate of Authorization Form, and the Verbal Notice of Eligibility Form. Any care for 14 minutes or less is not a payable unit of care. A standard copay for parents/guardians went into effect on November 1, 2022 and will be between $0.50 and $2.50. A copay should be collected if the care provided is a payable unit of care.

What are the parent copays?

A standard copay for parents/guardians went into effect on November 1, 2022 and is between $0.50 and $2.50. The copay is determined at the point of the parent’s child care eligibility determination and is based on income level.

Will Out-of-School Time programs with existing part-time copays be required to charge the full-time rate copay?

A standard copay for parents/guardians went into effect on November 1, 2022 and is between $0.50 and $2.50. The copay is determined at eligibility and is based on income level. 

How exactly does the child care reimbursement work with programs participating in Quality First? What about national accreditation? Do providers get an enhanced rate regardless if they are 3, 4, or 5 stars and/or nationally accredited?

The enhanced rate is a set percentage increase (40% effective November 1, 2025) to the base reimbursement rate for providers with Quality First star ratings of a 3, 4, or 5, and/or DES accepted national accreditation. DES receives a weekly report from First Things First with information on the provider's Quality First Star rating. Any changes to the star rating at the time of review will be used to determine the DES enhanced rate status. The new star rating will be effective on the first day of the following month. The enhanced rate for providers with a declined star rating to a 1-star or 2-star will end effective the last day of the month.

Provider Video Guides

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