North Dakota CCAP Provider Bonuses: What Can You Earn and How? - post

If you run a child care program in North Dakota and serve families who use CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program), you may be able to earn extra money through bonus payments and other incentives. These funds can help you keep spots filled, support staff, and improve quality.

This guide explains what to look for, how payments usually work, and what steps help you qualify—using official North Dakota info and ChildCareEd support.

Why do CCAP bonuses and incentives matter for providers?

Bonuses can make your budget more steady especially when enrollment changes.

They can help you:

• Cover gaps when a family leaves or a child’s schedule changes

• Pay for training that supports quality improvement

• Invest in safety upgrades or classroom materials

• Support staff retention and reduce turnover #childcare #workforce

Quick note: rules can change. Always check the official ND Health and Human Services (HHS) CCAP pages for current details and forms.

What bonuses and incentives might ND CCAP providers see?

Bonuses and incentives can come from different programs, so there is not just one type.

Here are common examples in North Dakota:

• Infant/Toddler bonus payments (extra payment for caring for CCAP infants and toddlers)

• QRIS or quality-related bonuses (connected to quality goals and participation)

• Workforce and training incentives (support for early childhood professionals through the state registry/hub)

• One-time grants or targeted funding (often announced through state early childhood updates)

Tip: If you hear “Growing Futures,” it often refers to North Dakota’s workforce registry system (now accessed through the ND Early Childhood Hub). Registry participation is important for many training and incentive pathways.

What is the ND Infant/Toddler bonus, and who qualifies?

North Dakota has an Infant/Toddler Bonus Payment for eligible providers caring for CCAP infants and toddlers. According to ND HHS, eligible providers may receive a bonus that is 30% of the state maximum rate, and the bonus is separate from regular monthly CCAP service payments. Payments are issued monthly for eligible care until the child turns three.

How much can I realistically earn, and how are bonuses paid?

There is no single dollar amount for everyone. Payments depend on:

• The bonus type (infant/toddler, quality, grant, workforce incentive)

• Your CCAP enrollment and eligible ages served

• Your provider type (center, licensed family/group, etc.)

• Whether you meet the program’s specific requirements

Here’s a simple way to estimate:

• Start with your CCAP baseline (regular CCAP payments for enrolled children)

• Add eligible bonus payments (like infant/toddler bonus if you serve those ages)

• Add quality or workforce incentives if you meet those requirements

How payments may show up:

• Some bonuses are added alongside regular CCAP processing

• Others come as separate bonus payments or grant reimbursements

• Many require documentation before payment is issued

What steps do I take to qualify and get paid?

Use these steps as a simple path from “interested” to “paid.”

1) Make sure you are set up as a CCAP provider

• Confirm you are enrolled and active as a provider

• Use ND HHS provider tools and guidance when needed

2) Keep strong attendance and billing records

Good records protect you and make payments smoother.

Have a system for:

• Daily attendance

• Authorizations and schedules

• Billing notes and follow-ups

If you want training that supports admin systems, try:

• https://www.childcareed.com/courses-balancing-act-record-keeping-supervision.html

3) Track training and registry participation

North Dakota’s workforce registry (formerly “Growing Futures”) is tied to professional development and can connect to incentives.

To better understand how ChildCareEd connects with the registry system, this related ChildCareEd article can help:

• https://www.childcareed.com/a/childcareed-and-the-growing-futures-registry.html

Training that supports clear family/provider communication (helpful for CCAP conversations and retention):

• https://www.childcareed.com/courses-let-s-talk-effective-communication.html

4) Watch for bonus forms, updates, and deadlines

ND HHS shares updates and changes (including recent CCAP updates and provider bonuses).

Simple habit that helps:

• Check ND HHS early childhood/CCAP updates monthly

• Save links to key pages in a “CCAP” bookmarks folder #CCAP

5) Follow up and document everything

Keep a folder (paper or digital) for:

• Bonus/grant applications

• Confirmation emails

• Submitted forms

• Payment dates and amounts

If something is delayed, having clear records makes follow-up faster.

How do I avoid common mistakes that slow down bonuses?

Here are the most common problems and simple fixes.

Mistake: Missing deadlines
✅ Fix: Keep a small calendar just for CCAP/bonus deadlines and reminders.

Mistake: Missing paperwork (or unclear records)
✅ Fix: Use one place for all CCAP documents and scan key forms.

Mistake: Assuming every training counts
✅ Fix: Confirm the training is accepted for the specific incentive pathway (registry/bonus rules vary).

Mistake: Waiting too long to ask questions
✅ Fix: Reach out early to your CCAP contact or use the ND HHS provider information page to find the right next step.

What is one ChildCareEd resource that can support quality improvement?

Bonuses often connect to quality and strong program practices. A practical resource to support safety planning (and show organized program systems) is:

• https://www.childcareed.com/r-00444-hazard-mapping-for-early-care-and-education-programs.html

This can help you identify safety risks early and document improvements useful for strong program operations.