As a result of House Bill 1255 that passed during the 2025 legislative session, the entry income threshold for the School Readiness program will change from 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL) to 55% of the state median income (SMI). This change must take effect on October 1, 2025. Additionally, both the School Readiness and the School Readiness Plus sliding fee scales have been revised to reflect updated SMI ranges. This functionality is complete within EFSM for mandatory implementation on October 1, 2025. Note: Assessed copayments remain in effect for households within their 12-month care authorization period, including those who may have had an updated eligibility assignment (for example, a care level change, a billing group change or extension of care authorization period end date due to adding a new child to the household prior to redetermination).
School Readiness (SR) Program
Beginning October 1, 2025, coalitions will use three sliding fee scales for FY 2025-26 when assessing copayments for the School Readiness (SR) Program.
2025-26 standard dollar-based sliding fee scale
Coalitions will use the updated 2025-26 standard dollar-based sliding fee scale for their geographic area, then continue to use the fee scale to assess copayments for each child based on household income, family size and unit of care for families whose current authorizations began prior to 7/1/2025.
2025-26 FPL percentage sliding fee scale
Coalitions will use the FLP percentage sliding fee scale to assess copayments for each household based on 4% or 6% of the household income, family size and unit of care for families whose current authorizations began on or after July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025. This copayment is assigned to only one child and one provider per household upon determination of initial eligibility or redetermination of a 12-month or less care authorization period.
2025-2026 SMI percentage sliding fee scale
Coalitions will use the new SMI percentage sliding fee scale to assess copayments for each household based on 4% or 6% of the household income, family size and unit of care for families whose authorizations begin on or after October 1, 2025. This copayment is assigned to only one child and one provider per household upon determination of initial eligibility or redetermination of a 12-month or less care authorization period.
School Readiness (SR) Plus Program
2025-26 SR Plus sliding fee scales
2024-2025 SR Plus Sliding Fee Schedule for 09242024
2025-2026 SR Plus Sliding Fee Schedule for 07012025
2025-2026 SR Plus Sliding Fee Schedule for 10012025
Similar to and continuing to align with the SR Program, coalitions will use three sliding fee scales for FY 2025-26 when assessing copayments for the SR Plus Program effective October 1, 2025:
