Sec. 13a.14.10.03. Fund Uses and Limitations

A. An award under the Fund:

(1) Shall be applied only toward a:

(a) Fee required for national accreditation; or

(b) A program improvement cost;

(2) May be made only to:

(a) An approved accrediting organization on behalf of a provider for the actual expense of the application fee; or

(b) The provider as reimbursement for a program improvement cost;

(3) May not be:

(a) Used for costs incurred by the applicant for:

(i) Facility improvement; or

(ii) Staff training; or

(b) Made for an amount greater than the actual amount of the:

(i) Fee charged by the accreditation organization; or

(ii) Program improvement cost; and

(4) May not exceed:

(a) $1,500 for a family child care provider;

(b) $2,500 for a child care center serving 100 or fewer children; or

(c) $3,000 for a child care center serving more than 100 children.

B. This Fund may not pay for the cost of an accreditation fee or a program improvement cost if that cost is already covered by another funding source.

C. An award may not be made to a provider who has already received an award under the Fund but who has not completed the accreditation process.

D. The Office may approve reimbursement of a cost only if it was incurred within 12 months before the date of application for accreditation support.