HHS announces updates to licenses, self-declaration certificates, CCAP
North Dakota Health and Human Services is making updates to the language on Early Childhood Services licenses and self-declaration certificates, and the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).
Licenses and certificates updates — Effective upon renewal
To align license and certificate language with North Dakota Century Code, Early Childhood licenses and self-declaration certificates will state: “Care may be provided for children ages [xx] through 11 years.”
The purpose of this change is to ensure consistency between license and certificate language and state law.
North Dakota Century Code (N.D.C.C.) §§ 50.11.1-02(26) and (27); 50-11.1-02.1(1), (2), and (3); and 50.11.1-03(1) define the ages of children who may be served in licensed and self-declared child care programs. These statutes specify that care may be provided for children through age 11.
Providers will see this updated language on their license or self-declaration certificate at the time of renewal, beginning this year.
If you have questions regarding this update or how it applies to your program, please contact your assigned licensing specialist.
Minimum attendance requirement for a CCAP payment – Effective April 1, 2026
A child must attend child care for a minimum of 40 hours in the service month to be eligible for a CCAP payment. This requirement also applies to children who have a parent receiving CCAP benefits through the Child Care Workforce Benefit.
This change will help ensure that CCAP payments better reflect the actual use of child care services.
Age eligibility clarified to align with state law — Effective April 1, 2026.
To align CCAP policy with state law, CCAP payments will be available through the month a child turns 12 years old. The following month, providers will no longer be eligible to request a CCAP payment for that child.
No other CCAP eligibility, payment, certification, or reporting requirements are changing at this time. Providers and families should continue to follow existing CCAP processes.
More information
Join us for a Microsoft Teams webinar to learn more about these updates on Wednesday, March 4 at 1 p.m. CT.
Dial in by phone: 701-328-0950, 613 786 164#
Join online: Click here to join the meeting.
Questions about CCAP
Visit hhs.nd.gov/ccap-providers or contact the Customer Support Center by email at applyforhelp@nd.gov; by phone Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT at 866-614-6005 or 701-328-1000, 711 (TTY); or by mail to Customer Support Center, P.O. Box 5562, Bismarck, ND 58506. Your local human service zone office is also available to answer questions about CCAP.