b. Supplemental Payments for Children with Special Needs

Parents shall be entitled to request additional payments for an eligible child with special needs pursuant to section 17b-749-11 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Supplemental payments shall be approved to the extent the provider cannot serve the child in his or her regular program after implementing reasonable accommodations as may be required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12132 et. seq.

Payments shall not be made for services provided by a program operated by any state or local government agency. The parent shall apply and take steps necessary to receive assistance from such programs upon the request of the CCAP administrator. The request for a special needs supplement shall be denied if the parent does not apply and take the necessary steps to obtain services.

An increase in the payment rate may be granted if the child’s condition requires a marked increase in the amount of care or supervision needed or special care, including but not limited to the use of special equipment, assistance with movement, feeding, toileting or the administration of medications that require specialized procedures. The child’s special needs shall be clearly documented to the satisfaction of the CCAP administrator by an Individualized Education Program (IEP), or an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), the child’s physician or another certified health care professional who is directly involved with the child. Additional documentation may be required as necessary to establish the need for special care in the child care setting. The amount of the increase shall be equal to fifteen percent of the payment rate for a child with no special needs as determined in subsection (c) of section 17b-749-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The supplement shall be included in the approved cost of care as determined in subsection (a) of section 17b-749-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies for the purpose of calculating the monthly payment.

A child with special needs may be eligible for supplemental payments for identifiable costs charged to the parent by the provider for services specifically associated with the provision of child care to the individual child. Payments for identifiable costs shall be in addition to any increase in the payment rate authorized pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection. Services and costs that may be eligible for payment shall include, but not be limited to the following: rental of equipment needed to provide appropriate care, such as maintenance apparatus that assists in breathing, feeding or toileting as prescribed by a therapist, physician or other state certified specialist and that is not transportable and cannot be provided by the parent; special furniture, materials or supplies used on a routine basis as prescribed by a therapist, physician or other certified specialist and that are not provided by the parent; and a personal child care attendant for prescribed periods; specialized training needed to care for the child that is not otherwise available without charge.

Supplemental payments for identifiable costs shall not be approved for special transportation services, special education, therapeutic services or other costs not directly related to the provision of child care, the cost of diapers, supplies or other items provided by the parent, facility improvements, equipment, materials or expenses for services or accommodations that are or would be available to all children enrolled in the facility and that cannot be categorized as assistance to the parent.

The maximum payment for identifiable costs in any month shall not exceed twenty percent of the standard payment rate for a child of the same age and approved hours of care with no special needs as determined in subsection (c) of section 17b-749-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Any costs incurred during a month that exceed twenty percent of such rate shall be the responsibility of the parent and shall not carry over as billable charges to the department in subsequent months. The commissioner may disapprove payments for identifiable costs where the cost of supporting the child in the child care setting is determined unreasonable or excessive relative to services available from other similar providers, vendors or through other means.

The parent and provider shall submit a written request to the CCAP administrator that includes a description of the additional services, why they are needed, verification of the cost of the services and the payment schedule where applicable. The request shall be co-signed by the parent.