2.3 Prioritizing Services for Vulnerable Children and Families

Lead Agencies must give priority for child care assistance to children with special needs, families with very low incomes (considering family size), and children experiencing homelessness. A Lead Agency has the flexibility to prioritize other populations of children. Note: Statute defines children with disabilities, and CCDF rule gives flexibility to Lead Agencies to include vulnerable populations in their definition of children with special needs. CCDF defines “child experiencing homelessness” as a child who is homeless, as defined in Section 725 of Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a). 2.3.1 Lead Agency definition of priority groups Describe how the Lead Agency defines: d. “Children with special needs.” A child whose physical condition has lasted or is expected to last at least two (2) years as diagnosed by a licensed medical or psychological practitioner, a child determined eligible for special services under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) for whom a current Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) exists, and/or a child with an emotional and/or behavioral disturbance defined by IDEA and reviewed by a team of Behavior Specialists certified in Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (designated by the OEC) as experiencing one or more of the following: an inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors, an inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers, inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances, a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression, and/or a tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems. e. “Families with very low incomes.” Children whose family's income falls below 40% State Median Income (SMI). Arkansas’s eligibility determination is based on the sliding fee scale at 85% of SMI. Families with very low income (under 40% State Median Income) receive child care assistance at no cost, depending on the age of the child. Prioritization for child care assistance is given to TANF, children in foster care, children with disabilities, and homeless families. 2.3.2 Prioritization of child care services Identify how the Lead Agency will prioritize child care services for the following children and families. a. Complete the table below to indicate how the identified populations are prioritized. Population Prioritized Prioritize for enrollment in child care services Serve without placing on waiting list Waive co- payments as described in 3.3.1 Pay higher rate for access to higher quality care Use grants or contracts to reserve spots Other Children with special needs [x] [x] [ ] [x] [ ] [ ] Describe: Families with very low incomes [ ] [ ] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: Population Prioritized Prioritize for enrollment in child care services Serve without placing on waiting list Waive co- payments as described in 3.3.1 Pay higher rate for access to higher quality care Use grants or contracts to reserve spots Other Children experiencing homelessness, as defined by CCDF [x] [x] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: (Optional) Families receiving TANF, those attempting to transition off TANF, and those at risk of becoming dependent on TANF [x] [x] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: a. Does the Lead Agency define any other priority groups? [ ] No. [x] Yes. If yes, identify the populations prioritized and describe how the Lead Agency prioritizes services: OEC recognizes the following as additional priority groups *Teen Parents- children whose parents are twenty (20) years or younger and completing their GED or high school diploma. *Children in, or transitioning out of foster care, *Guardian/Custodian-children in the care of someone other than the parent. *Adoptive children transitioning out of Arkansas Foster Care. This additional priority group is prioritized by the following: priority placement on the waitlist. Copays, and 85% SMI may be waived on a case-by-case basis. Children with open, active Foster Care/Protective Services cases also receive priority placement. This group is exempted from the waitlist, copays and the 85% SMI limit. 2.3.3 Enrollment and grace period for children experiencing homelessness Lead Agencies must allow (after an initial eligibility determination) children experiencing homelessness to receive CCDF services while required eligibility documentation is obtained. Lead Agencies must establish a grace period that allows children experiencing homelessness and children in foster care to receive CCDF assistance while providing their families with a reasonable time to take any necessary actions to comply with State, Territory, or local immunization and other health and safety requirements. The length of such a grace period must be established in consultation with the State, Territorial, or Tribal public health agency. Note: Any payment for such a child during the grace period may not be considered an error or improper payment. a. Describe the strategies to allow CCDF enrollment of children experiencing homelessness while required eligibility documentation is obtained: Children experiencing homelessness will have a 90 day grace period to provide required documentation. The Family Support Specialist (FSS) provides case management services to obtain any information necessary to establish eligibility. b. Describe the grace period for each population below and how it allows them to receive CCDF assistance while providing their families with a reasonable time to take any necessary actions to comply with immunization and other health and safety requirements. i. Provide the policy for a grace period for: Children experiencing homelessness: The Office of Early Childhood allows a grace period of fifteen (15) days to obtain up to date immunization records on children. Children who are in foster care: The Office of Early Childhood allows a grace period of fifteen (15) days to obtain up to date immunization records on children. ii. Does the Lead Agency certify that the length of the grace period was established in consultation with the State, Territorial, or Tribal public health agency? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: c. Describe how the Lead Agency coordinates with licensing agencies and other relevant State, Territorial, Tribal, and local agencies to provide referrals and support to help families with children receiving services during a grace period comply with immunization and other health and safety requirements: Arkansas’s CCDF Program Participant Agreement requires CCDF Providers to follow all Child Care Licensing Requirements, including sharing information regarding medical homes for children. Family Support Specialist (FSS) will provide resource information as requested.