Financial Assistance in Missouri

Right At School has partnered with local state agencies to offer childcare assistance programs. Where available, you may qualify to receive state assistance through our program. This resource will guide you through each step of the process with your state agency and Right At School.

See If You Qualify

Contact your local subsidy office to check your eligibility for assistance and begin your application.

Missouri Child Care Subsidy Program

https://dese.mo.gov/childhood/child-care-subsidy/families

573-526-3011

Before applying, you can use the Eligibility Checker here to see if you may qualify for the Chid Care Subsidy Program.

Navigating the Missouri State Application Process

Let’s explore what you’ll need to know about Missouri’s application process. Rest assured, your state agency is here to guide you every step of the way!

Application Options

You can submit your application either online or print it out and return by mail. For a printed version of the application, please visit here.

Provider IDs

A Provider ID is a unique number assigned by the state to facilitate subsidy payments.

You will need this Provider ID when completing the required paperwork. Here is a list of school Provider IDs. If you do not see your school listed here, please reach out to Customer Support for further assistance.

Document Verification

After submitting your application, you’ll be asked to provide documents to verify your information. Don’t worry, the Agency will guide you through exactly what’s needed and the timeframe for submission.

Processing Time

The processing time can take up to 30 days to process and complete. Applications will be reviewed by the agency within 15 days of receipt of the completed application and processed within 30 days

Confirmation of Eligibility

Once everything is submitted, your family’s caseworkers will confirm your eligibility. It’s the green light you’ve been waiting for!

Need Help?

If you have any questions about your application status, the agency and your family’s caseworker are always available to assist you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them for support.

We're here to help make this process as smooth as possible for you and your family.

Understanding Your Approval

Exciting news - you've been approved! Let's make sure you know what to do next to get everything set up smoothly.

Submitting Your Approval

Once you receive your approval, snap a clear picture of ALL pages and upload it here.

Note: Without ALL pages, your submission may not be accepted. This helps us speed up the process since agency processing times can vary.

Approval Duration

Your approval duration will be listed on your approval documentation. Please note, the agency may terminate this agreement at any time.

Redetermination Reminder

Keep your approval letter end date handy! We recommend reaching out to your subsidy agency at least a month in advance to your end date. Want to know more about what that entails? Check out the Understanding Redetermination tab on this page for all the details.

Cost Considerations

It’s important to note that registration fees may not be covered within your approval and may be an out-of-pocket cost for your family. Your authorization letter will state what the sliding fee is, which is the cost that you need to pay to Right At School. Also, keep in mind that non-school day programs and camp days are not always covered. You can find more details about non-school and camp day approvals and instructions below.

Registration Process

Remember, your approval letter doesn't automatically mean you're registered to attend the Right at School program. Registration with financial assistance is a two-step process. Curious about the next steps? Read more about registration next!

Ready to Go!

You’ll soon be on your way to enjoying all of the benefits of your approval. Let's make this journey smooth sailing for your family! 🎉

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Ensuring Your Child's Registration with Right At School Subsidy

Before we get started, it's important to note that your child isn't officially registered for our program until two key steps are completed:

Sending Your Approval Letter

Your child’s journey with Right At School begins when we receive your approval letter. Without it, we can’t complete the registration process.

Registering in the Family Portal

Alongside your approval letter, you’ll need to register your child in our Family Portal. This step is crucial for finalizing their enrollment.

Once these steps are done, you're well on your way to joining the Right At School family! Let's dive into the details...

1. Send Us Your Approval Letter: Got that approval letter handy? Great! Share it with our subsidy team by sending it here. This lets us know you’re ready to get started.

2. Register with Us: If you haven’t already, it’s time to register your child for our program. When you do, make sure to select the “discount” option and choose “subsidy”.

3. Fill in the Details: During registration, you will need to provide specific information from your approval letter, such as the agency name and voucher number. Simply enter these details, click ‘Finish,’ and you’ll be on your way! After completing this step, you will be placed in our subsidy queue.

4. Await Our Response: Within 24-48 hours, one of our friendly Subsidy Coordinators will reach out to you. We’re here to help!

5. Verification Time: While you’re in the subsidy queue, we’ll need to verify your registration with the state approval/voucher letter you sent us. This helps us ensure everything aligns perfectly.

6. Get Approved: Once we’ve confirmed your registration and received your approval letter, we’ll update your registration to reflect your approval. Almost there!

7. Final Touches: Log back into the Right At School Family Portal and add your payment information. This covers any registration fees or copays required by the state. Don’t worry, if your care is covered 100%, you won’t be charged unless your state coverage changes.

Please note that registration fees are dependent on your approval, and you may be charged a registration fee even if your care is covered at 100%.

And that’s it! You’re all set to join the Right At School family. If you have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We’re here to help make your experience with us as smooth and enjoyable as possible!

Exploring Non-School Days and Full-Day Camps

Planning for a full day of fun? Let's make sure you're all set to join in on the excitement!

Requesting Non-School Day & Camps

Interested in attending a non-school day or camp? Reach out to your case manager to explore if it can be approved. We want to make sure you have a blast while staying within your program guidelines.

Trying a Different Camp Location

If your non-school day or camp location will be held at a different school than the one listed on your approval, no worries! Grab your Provider ID from above for the desired location to request us as a provider. Don’t see your Provider ID? Reach out to our Customer Support team and they can assist you in next steps!

With these tips, you'll be all set to embark on your next adventure-filled day! 🌟

Important Reminder

Keep in mind that your approval might not cover every location. That's why it's crucial to connect with your agency and provide them with the correct provider ID and dates for the camp you're interested in. Need help finding those provider IDs? Check out the list here!

Changing Providers: Making It Work for You

Here's everything you need to know about changing your child care provider:

Submitting a Change

If you want to attend a program at a school that is different from what is listed on your approval, you’ll need to submit a change of provider request to your agency.

What Your Agency Needs

When you reach out to your agency, make sure you have your case number, your child’s name, the provider ID of the new location you want to attend, and the date you plan to start. Don’t forget to specify if you need full-time care!

Getting Approved

Once your agency approves your change of provider, you’ll receive confirmation. Make sure to send us that approval so we can update your records. You can easily do this by uploading it to the “submit your approval” form here.

We're here to support you through these changes, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Let's make sure your child care fits your needs perfectly!

Staying Eligible: Understanding Redetermination

We want to make sure you have all the info you need about redetermination and how it affects your state child care assistance.

What is Redetermination?

Redetermination is when you need to check in with your agency and provide certain documents to confirm you’re still eligible for state child care assistance.

When to Connect

Keep an eye on your approval letter for your assistance end date. That’s when it’s time to reach out to your agency for redetermination.

Stay in the Loop

Your state agency will usually send notifications by mail or email when your redetermination date is approaching. Watch out for those so you don’t miss any deadlines!

Timing is Key

We recommend connecting with your agency at least 30 days before your coverage end date. Processing times can vary, so it’s best to start early to avoid any gaps in coverage.

Submit Necessary Paperwork

If you do not submit the necessary paperwork with your State Agency, your care will end on the date stated in your approval letter. That means you will be responsible for covering the cost of Right at School care until you submit a new approval letter to us.

Getting Back on Track

If your care ends before you submit a new approval letter, you will need to reapply for benefits through your state agency if you meet the approval criteria.

Approved? Don't Forget

If you go through the redetermination process and get approved for continued care, don’t forget to send us your NEW approval. You can do this easily using the “submit your approval” form on our child care assistance page.

We're here to help every step of the way, so please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Let us ensure a seamless experience for your family's childcare journey!

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t qualify for state assistance?

If you don’t qualify for state assistance, don’t worry! We understand that navigating financial matters can sometimes be challenging. We encourage you to review the discounts we offer here at Right At School. We strive to make our programs accessible to all families, and you may find options that fit your needs. Check out our financial assistance and discounts page to explore the options available to you.

How do I find the Provider ID for my school?

You can find the list of Right At School locations and their Provider IDs here.

I got my approval letter, now what?

You’ve received your approval letter – congratulations! Now, let’s make sure you’re all set to join us at Right At School. Share it with our subsidy team by sending it here. Once we have that, we will reach out to you within 24-48 hours.

I want to sign up my child for a non-school day or camp. What do I need to do to ensure that the agency is aware and will pay for it?

If the non-school day program or camp is held at the same school location where your child is already approved for care, you’re all set! No additional steps are needed. 

However, if the non-school day program or camp is hosted at a different school location, you’ll need to fill out the Change of Provider form. Choose the second box for “Adding Providers” and send it to your agency for approval. Once your request is approved by the agency, be sure to send us that approval letter as well. This helps us ensure that your child’s enrollment is properly coordinated and that payment is arranged accordingly.

Did you receive my approval letter?

While some agencies may send approval letters directly to us, it’s ultimately the responsibility of the family to ensure that the approval letter is sent to us.

To confirm that we’ve received your approval letter, please use our convenient “Submit Approval Letter” form. This ensures that your approval is promptly processed and applied to your child’s enrollment.

I am paying full cost! I should have child care assistance!

If you believe you should be receiving child care assistance but are currently paying full cost, there are a few potential reasons why:

  •  It’s possible that we don’t have your current approval letter on file. If you’ve received approval for assistance from your state agency, please ensure that you’ve sent us a copy of your approval letter so we can update your records accordingly.
  • If you’ve submitted for redetermination, we’ll need the updated approval letter from your agency once it’s been processed. Please be sure to send us the new approval letter promptly to avoid any delays in assistance.
  • Your previous approval for assistance may have ended, and you may have missed the redetermination window. If this is the case, we encourage you to reach out to your state agency to discuss your eligibility and reapply for assistance if necessary.

Need Additional Help?

Contact our team for additional information and assistance. We are ready and eager to support you!