Metro Atlanta Daycare Remains Open After ANF Investigation

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A metro Atlanta daycare remains open after a Atlanta News investigates for the first time That story resulted in $60,000 in back payments from a state-run tuition assistance program.

“Without your input, I wasn’t getting any answers,” said Chrystalyne Rivera, owner of A Step Above Preparatory Academy, whose two locations are in southwest Atlanta near College Park, and another in Conyers.

Due to a change in how Georgia runs its tuition assistance program, Rivera had to lay off her janitorial staff because she was running out of money and was at risk of closing her business entirely.

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Ninety-five percent of children enrolled in A Step Above Preparatory Academy receive tuition assistance from Georgia’s CAPS program, which provides nearly $63 million annually to approximately 50,000 low-income Georgia families . Each week, child care centers across the state receive CAPS reimbursements through the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL).

However, last November, DECAL decided to streamline the CAPS program, which is also managed by its external payment provider, Maximus.

“We simply brought the vendor management function in-house with a new system called GACAPS,” said Reg Griffin, a DECAL spokesperson. “This helps provide streamlined services and increases personalized service for providers. »

“For more than 20 years, Maximus has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the well-being of children, families and child care providers in Georgia,” a company spokesperson said. “We stand ready to support the Georgia Department of Early Childhood Care and Learning.”

But when DECAL adopted its new system, it caused chaos for many daycares, accustomed to receiving weekly payments.

Many complained in a private Facebook group called Quality Rated Providers of Georgia. A DECAL spokesperson said the new system does not work perfectly even today, six months after its launch.

“We understand the importance of prompt compensation for the valuable services provided by our CAPS child care providers and are doing everything possible to resolve any payment issues in the future,” Griffin said.

Rivera said at least five payments totaling more than $100,000 have yet to be included, three in April and two from last year.

After Atlanta News investigates for the first time After contacting the DECAL spokesperson for assistance, Rivera received a call from an account specialist who looked into her account and confirmed that A Step Above Daycare should soon receive at least two payments, enough to keep Rivera’s doors open.

These payments totaling $60,000 have been received, with the remainder of the arrears promised to come.

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