Process for a Child Care Provider to Become Listed with DHS
What does it mean to be listed?
To be eligible for payment from the Department of Human Services (DHS), the provider must be listed with DHS.
Note: The DHS listing is separate from the process of becoming a registered or certified child care provider. To find out how to become registered or certified in the state of Oregon, see the OCC Website.
The listing process must be completed before you provide care. You can find detailed information about becoming a child care provider on the Child Care Provider Listing Form and instructions.
It is important that you complete the DHS Child Care Provider Listing form and send it in to the DHS Direct Pay Unit (DPU) right away. The listing form must be received and processed before a billing form can be sent to you. You will need to receive a billing form so you can be paid.
The effective date for payment from DHS cannot be earlier than the date you are listed with DHS and is in approved status. This means DHS will not cover care provided prior to completing the listing process.
How do I get listed?
To be listed, the provider must complete a Child Care Provider Listing form and mail it to:
Direct Pay Unit P.O. Box 14850 Salem, OR 97309-0850
You may also get a form by:
- Contacting your local DHS Self-Sufficiency office, or
- Asking the family. The family gets this form from their DHS worker.
Carefully follow instructions on the form. If the listing form is not complete, it may be returned to you, and processing will be delayed. Delays in DPU receiving this form will affect when payment can start.
Additional information
You may contact the Direct Pay Unit at 1-800-699-9074 if you have questions about completing the form.
For more information about becoming a child care provider see the Child Care Provider Guide.
What is the DHS Integrated Child Care Program?
The Department of Human Services (DHS), helps some low-income parents pay for child care. These are parents or caretakers who need child care because they are employed or preparing for employment. Parents apply for child care assistance, or subsidy, at a local DHS office in their area. The amount of the subsidy is based on a number of factors, including the family's income, type of child care and how many hours of care are needed.
If the parent is eligible, the subsidy is paid directly to the child care provider by the Direct Pay Unit (DPU) in Salem. Providers must be "listed" with DPU before a payment can be issued. For more information please call Lane Family Connection, or go to the DHS Child Care Co-Payment Calculation website.
DHS "Listed" and "Enhanced" Providers
Any type of child care provider who is operating legally can become "listed" with the State of Oregon, Department of Human Services (DHS) as long as they can pass the Criminal History check and the Health and Safety Standards required by the Department. "Listing" with the Department of Human Services enables the State to directly pay child care providers a fee for child care services performed on behalf of a family who is eligible for child care benefits. The rate paid to the provider is based on a "Market Rate Survey" which is performed by the child care resource and referral program in each County and the number of hours each family is eligible for benefits. "Listed" providers can become "Enhanced" DHS providers by meeting the standards required to become regulated. "Enhanced" DHS providers receive a higher rate of pay. Visit the DHS child care eligibility website for more information.
For more information and to see if you qualify please contact your local DHS office.