PCG outlines Kansas child‑care market‑rate study, seeks ad‑hoc advisory volunteers by April 3

Megan Smith, a consultant with Public Consulting Group, presented a scope and timeline for a market‑rate study that the presenters said fulfills the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) requirement. Ivy Doxley Martin, senior consultant and project manager at PCG, said the study will collect provider rate data, analyze provider characteristics and calculate at least the 75th percentile for rates, and will compare subsidy payments with the actual cost of care.

"We're gonna collect information from providers about rates and calculate at the minimum the 75th percentile for rates," Ivy Doxley Martin said, listing methodology elements such as age‑grouping recommendations, cost modeling and analysis of quality‑related costs.

PCG proposed a survey window of a minimum four weeks (they recommended up to eight weeks), with a tentative launch in early May (a possible May 4 start) and a draft final report by Aug. 31 ahead of a final Oct. 31 submission. The team described opportunities for listening sessions, pre‑survey outreach and an advisory work group to center underrepresented voices, including family child‑care providers and families of children with disabilities.

Panelists urged attention to rural/urban differences, the reimbursement gap for higher‑quality providers, and strategies to engage providers and community partners. Chair Melissa Schomburger said the panel will collect names of volunteers and forward them to PCG; PCG requested names quickly because the timeline is compressed. Schomburger set a planning timeline and asked members to provide potential ad‑hoc volunteers by April 3.

PCG did not present formal recommendations in the meeting; it asked for panel feedback and volunteers to support survey development and outreach.