Child Care Assistance

Funshine Child Care Center

SUU has been engaged in developing resources to provide a childcare option for employees over the past year. This is one of President Benson’s top priorities, and we are nearing the homestretch. Construction is well underway for a new childcare building which will allow a leading Cedar City childcare provider – Funshine Child Care and Learning Center – to expand its operations and give priority placement to employees of the Leavitt Group, Southern Utah University, and State Bank of Southern Utah.  The construction is proceeding as planned and is expected to be completed in time to begin accepting new children around the middle of April 2023.

Given the progress of the new building, we are eager to begin understanding the level of interest SUU employees have in enrolling children at this facility.  Based on existing enrollment and other commitments, our allotment of availability in this expanded facility will be 55 spaces with 12-month contracts, allocated in the following age brackets (which were established by Funshine and agreed to by the three entities): 

  • 0-2 years old: 9 spaces                   ($875/month)
  • 2 years old: 15 spaces                    ($800/month)
  • 3 years old: 15 spaces                    ($775/month)
  • 4-5 years old: 16 spaces                ($475/month)

If you are interested in enrolling please fill out the Funshine Childcare Interest form.  Please note that filling out this form does not guarantee placement in the facility but is important data to help us determine the level of interest for each age bracket.  Assuming there is enough space to meet demand, a new childcare committee will refer you to JJ Hulet, Owner and Manager of Funshine, to begin the official enrollment process. 

In order to assist parents in determining if they are interested in using Funshine for their childcare needs, please see the comprehensive Funshine FAQ booklet in which JJ has explained key details of her program.  You can also find information on Funshine’s website, and Facebook page.

Additionally, JJ will be in the Sharwan Smith Student Center, Brian Head Room, on February 2nd from 12 pm  to 4 pm to talk through her best-in-class program and answer any questions parents may have.  You can stop by at any time during this window. 

Childcare Subsidy

  • President Benson is pleased to announce that SUU will allocate up to $100,000 each year in childcare subsidies based on several criteria. 
  • May 1, 2023-June 30, 2024, the SUU Childcare subsidy amount will be $75 per paycheck.  This is a pre-tax employer contribution to a Flexible Spending Dependent Care account.
    • If you are currently making employee contributions to the Dependent Care FSA, these funds will apply to your annual limits, and you may have to adjust your personal contribution amount.
    • If you are NOT currently making employee contributions and would like to have employee contributions in addition to the subsidy, you may start employee contributions at this time.
    • Limits are $2500 for single/head of household/married filing separately, and $5000 for family.  
  • Eligibility
    • Eligibility for this program is that you must have a dependent child as defined by the IRS, and you will submit receipts from a licensed childcare provider as determined by the IRS for reimbursement.  For help determining if your dependent is a qualified individual or if your provider is a qualified provider, please see the Topic No 602 Child and Dependent Care Credit sheet.
    • If both parents work at SUU, only one parent may apply for the subsidy.
  • Distribution of Funds
    • The funds will be directed to National Benefits Services (NBS) for administration as a regular dependent care FSA.  These funds will be available to reimburse employees for eligible licensed childcare costs with all the rules that apply to a regular IRS-eligible pre-tax dependent care account.  There will be no further qualification information required by the SUU child care subsidy selection committee. Any proof of eligibility or verification of expenses will be requested by NBS when needed.
  • Enrollment
    • Employees must fill out the SUU Dependent Care Expenses Form to indicate they want the $75 per paycheck subsidy. 
    • Upload the form to Gabrielle Cox's secure link.
    • Employees wishing to receive the subsidy will have to fill out the request form each fiscal year.
    • Employees can enter this program at the special enrollment, during regular open enrollment each year, at the time of new hire, or during a qualifying event such as marriage or birth of a child, etc.
  • Access Funds
    • After the first contribution is made to their account, employees will need to log on to the NBS website and register for their account, where they can set up their reimbursements.  Those instructions are in the FSA Enrollment Package.
    • The Employer ID for Southern Utah University is: NBS994648
    • Funds will be active and available for use as they are deposited and until June 30 of each plan year.
    • There is a 30-day grace period to claim the funds from the prior year.  Each year, all funds deposited by June 30 will need to be claimed by July 30. 
    • Reimbursement Form for Flexible Spending Dependent Care Account
  • Unused Funds
    • If employees do not use the funds in this account by the end of each fiscal year, the funds will return to the university.