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. Funshine Child Care and Learning Center is giving priority placement to employees of the Leavitt Group, Southern Utah University, and State Bank of Southern Utah. 

Based on existing enrollment and other commitments, our allotment of availability in this 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.

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.
    • 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 during regular open enrollment each year, at the time of new hire, or during a qualifying event such as marriage, 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.
    • 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.