QRIS Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to some Frequently Asked Questions (Updated October 1, 2026)
How Can We Help?
Directions: Click the Star to the left of each topic to view frequently asked questions and their answers. Click the star again to close the section.
Incentives
Directions: Click the star next to a question to view its answer. Click the star again to close the answer.
What are the enrollment requirements to qualify for a STAR Rating incentive?
- Centers-10% of total capacity must be enrolled in ARISE and attending for compensation purposes
- Family Homes- 2 children must be enrolled in ARISE and attending for compensation purposes.
- Group Homes- 5 children must be enrolled in ARISE and attending for compensation purposes.
When is the enrollment of a facility captured?
Enrollment is verified annually based on the program’s STAR Rating:
- STAR 1 Programs: During the annual licensing or license renewal visit.
- STAR 2–5 Programs: Around the anniversary of when program was assessed and received its higher rating.
When did the updated incentive requirements take effect?
Updates regarding incentives and enrollments went into effect July 1, 2026.
What if I was scheduled to receive an incentive in July, August, or September?
By October 11, complete enrolling all private pay children into ARISE, then send an email to DHR_QRISpayments@dhr.alabama.gov to request being put in the queue to receive the incentive for your facility
Who should I enroll in ARISE?
All students who are currently enrolled and attending your facility should be enrolled in the ARISE system in order for them to count in your enrollment for incentive purposes.
How are children enrolled in OSR, Head Start, Early Head Start (EHS), or children who do not receive child care subsidies, counted toward my program’s enrollment for incentive purposes?
Children enrolled in OSR, Early Head Start (EHS), Head Start, and all other children who do not receive child care subsidies should be entered into the ARISE system as private pay to ensure they are included in your program’s enrollment count for incentive purposes.
How will my incentive amount be determined according to the incentive matrix?
If eligible incentive will be awarded based on
- The facilty type (Center/Family/Group)
- STAR Rating Level (1-5)
- The verified number of children enrolled.
How do I set up my vendor code so that I can receive an incentive?
Email DHR_QRISpayments@dhr.alabama.gov for directions to get your vendor code set up.
Who should I contact with questions about my program’s STAR Rating incentives?
All remaining questions regarding incentives and subsidy must be emailed to the Alabama Department of Human Resources at DHR_QRISpayments@dhr.alabama.gov
Technical Assistance
Directions: Click the star next to a question to view its answer. Click the star again to close the answer.
Can I receive guidance to help prepare my program before applying for a higher STAR Rating assessment?
Yes. Guided Support provides up to two (2) months of technical assistance to help programs prepare for a formal assessment for a STAR 2 or higher Rating.
Approved programs are assigned a specialist who can answer questions, review documentation, and provide recommendations based on the Best Practice Rubric.
This support is tailored to each program’s needs to help them prepare for their STAR Rating assessment.
What are Enhancement Services, and who is eligible to participate?
The Enhancement option provides technical assistance to help programs improve their quality after completing a formal assessment for a STAR 2 or higher Rating.
Using the results of the assessment, an individualized action plan is developed to address the program’s specific needs.
After completing Enhancement services, the program must continue using the practices learned through technical assistance and document their implementation for at least three (3) months.
Once this requirement is met and if the program continues to meet all eligibility requirements, they may apply for another assessment to work toward a higher STAR rating.
Can I apply for both Guided Support and Enhancement Services in the same year?
No. Providers may apply for only one (1) technical assistance option per year. The one-year period is calculated from the completion date of their previous technical assistance cycle.
Can I apply for Enhancement services if my program has not yet completed a STAR 2 or higher assessment?
No. Only providers who have already been assessed for a higher rating are eligible to apply for Enhancement services.
Do I need to complete a STAR Rating assessment before receiving additional technical assistance?
Yes. Programs must complete a formal STAR rating assessment before they can apply for another cycle of technical assistance.
Can I apply for a STAR Rating assessment immediately after completing technical assistance?
No. Programs must wait at least three (3) months after completing their technical assistance cycle before applying for another assessment. During this time, programs must continue using and documenting the practices learned.
Additional Requirement: If your program has already completed a STAR Rating assessment, you must also:
- Wait at least 12 months from the date of your previous assessment.
- Complete your first annual STAR Rating review with a result of “Maintained.”
All applicable requirements must be met before applying for another assessment.
Application Process
Directions: Click the star next to a question to view its answer. Click the star again to close the answer.
How do I apply for Alabama Quality STARS services?
For STAR 1: Licensed programs may opt-in at the initial and renewal license application period with their licensing consultant to participate in QRIS. Choosing to opt in results in being awarded a STAR 1 rating.
Visit our Getting Started page for everything you need to begin the application process to continue upward on the path to quality improvement, including:
- A process map showing how the program works.
- Step-by-step application instructions.
- Tutorial videos to guide you through the process.
These resources will help you apply for a STAR Rating Assessment, Guided Support, or Enhancement services through AlaCEED.
Is this website the same as AlaCEED or ARISE?
No. These are three separate websites or platforms that serve different purposes..
- Alabama Quality STARS Website: Is what you are currently using. It is an informational resource where providers can learn about Alabama Quality STARS, review program guidelines, explore available services, and find instructions for applying.
- AlaCEED: The online platform where providers apply for STAR rating assessments, Guided Support, and Enhancement services.
- ARISE CARE: The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) online system where child care providers can apply for and manage their child care licenses and access payment-related services.
Not sure which system to use?
- Looking for STAR Rating information or guidelines? Visit the Alabama Quality STARS website.
- Ready to apply for a STAR Rating assessment or technical assistance? Use AlaCEED.
- Need to manage your child care license? Use ARISE CARE.
Ready to apply? Visit ARISE to manage your enrollment, Get Started page on this website for instructions and tutorials for preparing for an assessment and navigating AlaCEED, or go directly to AlaCEED to connect to your location, complete orientation, and submit an application.
Maintaining a STAR Level, Changes in STAR Rating, Review and Appeal Process
Directions: Click the star next to a question to view its answer. Click the star again to close the answer.
How long is my STAR Rating valid?
A STAR rating is valid for 3 years if yearly updates are received, unless the program becomes ineligible for a STAR rating according to Section 6.00 Eligibility or Section 12.00 Changes in STAR Rating in the Alabama Quality STARS Guidelines
How many times may I request a STAR Rating assessment in a year?
Providers who have achieved a STAR 2 or above may apply for a higher rating assessment once per year.
If I am not satisfied with the result of my STAR rating assessment, what are my options?
If you believe there was an error in how your assessment was conducted, you may request an appeal.
The appeal process is explained in Section 13.00 on page 21 of the Alabama Quality STARS Guidelines (Updated 2026).
If you do not wish to appeal, you have other options:
- Enhancement services: Apply for technical assistance to help your program improve its quality practices and work toward a higher STAR Rating.
- New Assessment: Apply for another assessment once at least 12 months have passed since your previous assessment and you have met the annual review requirements.
All options are subject to the eligibility requirements outlined in the Alabama Quality STARS Guidelines.
Can I opt out of my higher STAR Rating?
Yes. Providers may opt-out at any time, in writing to DHR_QRISpayments@dhr.alabama.gov
When is my STAR Rating reviewed, and what happens during the annual review?
Your STAR Rating is reviewed each year to make sure your program continues to meet the requirements for its rating.
- STAR 1 Programs: Your rating is reviewed during your annual licensing or license renewal visit.
- STAR 2–5 Programs: Your STAR rating annual review takes place around the anniversary of your most recent STAR Rating assessment.
What happens during the annual review?
- Maintained: If your program continues to meet the requirements for its current STAR Rating, your rating remains active.
- Reduced or Invalidated: If your program no longer meets the requirements, your STAR Rating may be lowered or invalidated.
When can I reapply?
Programs whose STAR Rating has been denied, reduced, or invalidated may reapply after 12 months, unless otherwise notified.
When and How do I renew my STAR 2 or higher Rating?
A STAR 2–5 Rating is valid for 36 months (3 years) from the date of your most recent assessment, as long as your program remains in good standing with DHR and continues to meet the requirements for its STAR Rating.
To avoid a lapse in your rating, programs should apply for a renewal assessment approximately 33 months after their most recent assessment. This allows time to complete the renewal process before the current rating expires.
Important: Programs are responsible for submitting their renewal applications on time. Failure to apply for renewal before your rating expires may result in the loss of your STAR Rating.
What could cause my program to lose its current STAR Rating?
A STAR Rating may be denied, reduced, or invalidated for several reasons, including:
- False information or falsified documents submitted by the program.
- Not meeting eligibility requirements outlined in Section 6.00 of the Alabama Quality STARS Guidelines.
- Incomplete documentation or failure to meet the requirements for the requested STAR Rating.
- Confirmed complaints involving harm or death of a child.
What happens if my STAR Rating is denied or reduced?
If your STAR Rating is denied or reduced, you may apply for a new assessment after 12 months, unless otherwise notified.e eligible to re-apply for a new assessment after twelve (12) months, unless otherwise notified.
What happens if my STAR Rating is Invalidated?
A STAR Rating is immediately invalidated if a program is placed under adverse action by DHR, such as probation, suspension, or license revocation.
- What happens to my STAR Rating?
- Programs with a STAR 2–5 Rating will not automatically return to STAR 1.
- Programs with an invalidated STAR 1 Rating must wait until their license renewal to opt back into STAR 1.
- When can I reapply to receive services from the Alabama Quality STARS specialists?
- You may reapply for a new assessment after 12 months, unless otherwise notified
- What happens to my subsidy payments?
- Programs participating in the Child Care Subsidy Program will receive the base subsidy rate beginning the first Monday after their STAR Rating is invalidated.
- For specific questions about subsidy payments, please contact DHR at DHR_QRISpayments@dhr.alabama.gov
Who Do I Contact?
Alabama Quality STARS is a partnership between the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE). Each agency has specific responsibilities within the program.
To help you get the information and assistance you need as quickly as possible, please use the contact guide below to direct your questions to the appropriate agency.
Questions About:
*Licensing/STAR 1 Participation
*Incentives/Subsidy
*STAR Rating Certificate
Contact DHR
Please make contact by email to DHR_QRISpayments@dhr.alabama.gov
Questions About:
*Applying for STAR 2 and Higher Services
*AlaCEED
*Renewing higher STAR Rating
*Higher Rating Assessment Tools
*Appealing an Assessment
Director: Kellie Holcomb
Email: info@info-emai
Phone: (334) 604-6260
Directions: Hover your mouse over the card to flip it over to view the contact information on the back of the card. Hover mouse away from card to flip it back to the front.
