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 under the age of 19 with conditions or characteristics that reflect a need for particular care, services, or treatment, most commonly physical and/or mental disabilities and/or delay. e. “Families with very low incomes.” Families with income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). 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] [x] [ ] Describe: Families with very low incomes [ ] [x] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: Children experiencing homelessness, as defined by CCDF [ ] [x] [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 (Optional) Families receiving TANF, those attempting to transition off TANF, and those at risk of becoming dependent on TANF [ ] [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: Should a wait list for child care services be in effect, the following children shall have priority for subsidized child care services: • Children of families with very low incomes • Children with special needs, children in protective services, and vulnerable children, as defined by OSSE. 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: Applicants are given a 60 calendar day grace period to provide any additional documentation necessary to determine eligibility. Upon initial eligibility determination, children experiencing homelessness are permitted to enroll in the child care placement before completion of all required documentation and the provider is paid for child care services during the grace period. If, after full documentation is provided, the child experiencing homelessness is found to be ineligible, subsidized child care services are terminated. 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: Applicants whose eligibility is determined under the vulnerable population classification of ￿children experiencing homelessness￿ are given a 60 calendar day grace period to provide any additional documentation necessary to determine eligibility and to comply with immunization and health requirements. Upon initial eligibility determination, children eligible for subsidized child care under this classification are permitted to enroll in the child care placement before completion of all required documentation and the provider is permitted to be paid for child care services rendered during the grace period. After authorizing subsidy eligibility, DHS staff include information on the admission form letting the child development facility where the child will enroll know that a family has a 60-day grace period to comply with the Health Certificate requirements. Completion of immunizations following the grace period is tracked by staff from DHS and in DC Health’s District of Columbia Immunization Information System (DOCIIS). Children who are in foster care: Applicants whose eligibility is determined under the classification of ￿children under protective services￿ are given a 60 calendar day grace period to provide any additional documentation necessary to determine eligibility and to comply with immunization and health requirements. This classification is inclusive of children in foster care. Upon initial eligibility determination, children under protective services are permitted to enroll in the child care placement before completion of all required documentation and the provider is permitted to be paid for child care services rendered during the grace period. After authorizing subsidy eligibility, DHS staff include information on the admission form letting the child development facility where the child will enroll know that a family has a 60-day grace period to comply with the Health Certificate requirements. Completion of immunizations following the grace period is tracked by staff from DHS and in DC Health’s District of Columbia Immunization Information System (DOCIIS). 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: DHS informs families and their selected child care provider of the 60-day grace period to complete a health certificate. The child care admission form includes contact information for the person at DHS who can assist families with the completion of the form. The completion of immunizations following the grace period is tracked by DHS and in DC Health’s District of Columbia Immunization Information System. Facilities also support families to ensure the required documentation is received before the end of the 60 calendar day grace period.