Tip #2 - Be Careful about WHO you count: Child Counts versus Family Count

It is easy to be confused about whether the data element is referring to families or children because several data elements refer to family characteristics but require counts of children. In fact, only one data element is a count of families, and that is Element 1, Number of Families Receiving Child Care Services. All other data elements count children.

• Even if you collect information regarding the reason for receiving services at the family level, remember that Element 4, Number of Children Receiving Child Care Services Because is a count of children. If a family has two children and is receiving services because the parents are in training or educational programs, then that family will contribute 2 to the overall number reported in that category.

• Even if you assign co-payments on a per family basis, remember to divide the family amount by the number of children when you calculate Element 6b. Average Monthly Parent Co-payment.

• Even if a data element references families at various thresholds of poverty, such as Element 7, Number of Children Receiving Services from Families in Income, remember to count each child in the family who received child care services during the year.