Tyrese Nicholas, deputy commissioner for Family Access and Engagement at the Department of Early Education and Care, led a step‑by‑step explanation of Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) and what it means to enroll as a CCFA provider.

"Child care financial assistance is critical … it helps parents work, go to school, and keep their children in a safe and caring place," Tyrese said, summarizing the program’s purpose. He described three CCFA program streams EEC administers — income‑eligible, DTA‑related and DCF‑related care — and said families access assistance through wait lists, direct DTA/DCF referrals or the statewide helpline.

To become a CCFA provider, Tyrese said providers must be licensed by EEC and agree to accept the EEC daily reimbursement rate for services. The typical enrollment steps are: find your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency using the ZIP‑code search tool, attend an orientation (group or one‑on‑one), provide required documents (license or licensing approval, tuition rates, parent handbook, closure schedule), and sign a provider voucher agreement that covers attendance entry and payment procedures.

Tyrese noted family child care providers may follow different paths: independent family child care providers manage paperwork and sign with the CCR&R directly; family child care system providers sign with a system that already has an agreement with CCR&R and typically receive administrative support and direct referrals.

On payments and referrals, EEC advises that reimbursement rates vary by provider type, region and age group; some families pay a parent fee (co‑pay) directly to providers. "CCFA providers are paid once monthly, and those payments are reimbursed," Tyrese said, explaining that providers deliver care in one month and receive reimbursement the next month. Families are connected to providers via CCR&Rs, the MAS 211 helpline, family child care systems and direct DTA or DCF referrals.

What happens next: providers interested in becoming CCFA vendors should contact their local CCR&R (search tool link provided in session chat), complete orientation and required documentation, and be prepared to sign a voucher agreement and submit attendance data to receive reimbursements.