Frequently Asked Questions about ARPA for Licensed Child Care Facilities/Homes
Program Information
All licensed family child care homes and child care centers in a residence are required to enroll in Clean Water for Kids.
If a head start facility is a licensed child care facility, then yes.
No, licensed facilities still have to enroll in the Clean Water For Kids Program and provide documentation of year built. The documentation will be reviewed to determine if the exemption criteria is met.
Yes, licensed child care facilities and family child care homes must enroll in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids asbestos, lead-based paint and lead in water portals and submit documentation to be eligible for an exemption.
Use the city or county property tax records.
Yes. But any lead-based paint abatement or remediation work performed after April 29, 2022, at a licensed child care facility or family child care home can be submitted for reimbursement.
No, only documented eligible expenses can be reimbursed for asbestos and lead-based paint activities and associated replacement material documented as not containing asbestos or lead-based paint above allowable amounts.
DCDEE does not have information about asbestos or lead-based paint on their website. You can find this information on the HHCU website.
Inspection Requirements
Before the inspection can be exempted, documentation is required to be submitted to the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids to confirm the licensed child care facility or licensed family child care home was built after Oct. 12, 1988, for asbestos and after Feb. 28, 1978, for lead-based paint.
Facilities must enroll by May 31, 2025. This is an extension due to effects of Hurricane Helene (PDF). Asbestos, lead-based paint, and lead in water inspections and testing will be scheduled for licensed facilities after enrollment through the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids portal. These inspections are free and the completion of these inspections is coordinated by the RTI International, the vendor contracted by the Department of Health and Human Services.
The inspection will include the licensed child care space and documented auxiliary space as determined by the DCDEE Lead Child Care Consultant or Regulatory License Consultant. For more information, go to the question "Can we be reimbursed for auxiliary spaces?"
Enroll at Clean Water for Carolina Kids.
Contact Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids at 1-888-997-9290.
Enroll at Clean Classrooms for Carolina by May 31, 2025. This is an extension due to effects of Hurricane Helene (PDF). Once you enroll, you will be scheduled for an inspection. These inspections are free.
Reimbursement Eligibility and Documentation
Documented eligible expenses are 100% reimbursable for licensed child care facilities and family child care homes.
Yes, licensed child care facilities and family child care homes can be reimbursed for asbestos and lead-based paint remediation or abatement activities inside and outside of the licensed facility as long as the area is used or frequented by children.
Licensed child care facilities and family child care homes can be reimbursed for the removal of playground equipment with an identified asbestos or lead-based paint hazard located outside the facility, but the reimbursement only includes the removal of item(s) and not the replacement of playground equipment.
The Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) has clarified auxiliary spaces in a letter dated May 3, 2024 (PDF). A facility seeking reimbursement for asbestos or lead-based paint activities and replacement materials in auxiliary spaces will have the DCDEE confirm auxiliary spaces. After an auxiliary space is confirmed by the DCDEE Lead Child Care Consultant or Regulatory License Consultant then eligible expenses can be reimbursed.
If the office is part of the same licensed child care facility and asbestos is present, then yes. If the office is located in a separate building, documentation is needed to confirm children visit that location.
Yes, but each reimbursement packet should indicate which phase is being submitted.
A licensed child care facility or a family child care home would need to complete and submit an ARPA reimbursement packet, along with a current copy of the lease agreement signed by both parties.
No. The UEI number is the Unique Entity Identifier number needed to receive federal funds. The EIN number is your tax identification number (or, if an individual, your social security number). These are two different numbers for two different purposes.