What is the Child Care Electronic System?
The Child Care Electronic System (CCES) is technology modernization for child care, funded by Arizona’s Child Care and Development Fund lead agency, the Department of Economic Security (DES) Division of Child Care.
The CCES is built through an integrated suite of software tools from a company that is contracted with DES to help manage Arizona’s child care subsidy program for providers and the state.
The CCES will provide DES contracted child care providers the ability to collect sign-in and sign-out records from caregivers, parents, and guardians, and submit billing to DES through a fully automated process.
Please visit the CCES website for more information: azcces.info/
What does technology modernization mean for child care?
DES and its partners are modernizing technology systems and streamlining important processes like billing, with the goal being that all child care providers will use state of the art systems, and improve business practices.
Ultimately, technology modernization allows child care providers to focus on the important
work of caring for children in high quality early childhood care and education!
What is DES’ role in technology modernization?
DES is investing funding to rethink and improve Arizona’s Early Childhood Care and Education technology infrastructure to:
⮚ Connect data across state systems and facilitate data sharing
⮚ Develop capacity to conduct business with providers in a digital environment
⮚ Incentivize providers for adopting technology solutions
⮚ Build resources for parents with comprehensive access to child care information and services
Why is technology modernization important?
The current early childhood care and education system operates in separate agencies with different funding, programs, and regulatory standards.
Efficient, effective technology solutions will improve:
⮚ Parents’ ability to access resources
⮚ Child care providers’ ability to offer comprehensive services and operate sustainable businesses
⮚ The state’s ability to distribute, monitor, and assess the impact of public investments
What is changing and when?
DES will be rolling out a series of changes over the next year that will ensure providers get paid faster and with less paperwork! These technology enhancements will help providers in billing the state, and support will be available to providers who are using the new technology systems.
Beginning in April 2023, Arizona will implement the Attendance Tracking component of the Child Care Electronic System. In the future, Arizona is looking to build in other components that could help support child care eligibility, tax reporting, the child care search for parents, and more.
What support is available for child care providers?
The Division of Child Care is excited to be able to support technology modernization for child care providers who serve children and families who receive child care assistance through DES.
Providers have access to the Southwest Human Development Early Childhood Business Services (ECBS) Program for help or questions when implementing new technology. Email: ecbs@swhd.org, or the ECBS Support Line: (602) 265-4768.
How does technology modernization impact families?
We know that parents today are living in a digital age! Through technology modernization and the Child Care Electronic System, DES will support families in being better equipped to communicate directly with their child care provider, search for child care options from a wide range of available options and enhanced communication tools. In the future state of the CCES, families will have comprehensive access to resources, including financial assistance, special services, and more, to meet their early childhood care and education needs.