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.” Children with special needs are a diverse group of children who have a wider range of needs than their typical peers. These needs may be physical, developmental, emotional, or behavioral. Children with special needs may require additional support and services to learn and thrive. *Note: Children with special needs is often used synonymously as children with disabilities who are eligible under the IDEA programs, however we believe that ￿children with special needs￿ is a broader term as described above. For Purchase of Care subsidy, the definition is a child under the age of 19 years of age who's physical, emotional or developmental needs require special care. A medical or other professional with the authority to do so must verify the need and care. e. “Families with very low incomes.” Families whose household income is less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. 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] [ ] [ ] Describe: Families with very low incomes [ ] [ ] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: Children experiencing homelessness, as defined by CCDF [ ] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: (Optional) Families receiving TANF, those attempting to transition off TANF, and those at risk of becoming dependent on TANF [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: a. Does the Lead Agency define any other priority groups? [x] No. [ ] Yes. If yes, identify the populations prioritized and describe how the Lead Agency prioritizes services: 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: The state currently provides a grace period to comply with immunization requirements for homeless families. In Delaware, foster children are considered homeless. DSS provides childcare for up to 3 months or until the family is able to obtain suitable living arrangements. Once they have suitable living arrangements, services can be provided based on some other need such as employment. Some strategies that the lead agency use to allow CCDF enrollment of children experiencing homelessness is to incorporate training on homelessness for providers so that awareness is heightened, and the appropriate questions can be asked if homelessness is suspected. The lead agency also incorporates policy around homelessness and grace periods in new worker training to ensure that workers are applying it as appropriately. 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 Lead Agency currently has a grace period that allows homeless children to receive CCDF assistance while their families are taking the necessary actions to comply with immunization and other health and safety requirements. Children who are in foster care: The state currently provides a grace period to comply with immunization requirements for homeless families. In Delaware, foster children are considered homeless. Children who are in foster care: The Lead Agency currently has a grace period that allows homeless children to receive CCDF assistance while their families are taking the necessary actions to comply with immunization and other health and safety requirements. The state currently provides a grace period to comply with immunization requirements for homeless families. In Delaware, foster children are considered homeless. 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: The lead agency ensures that all involved parties are aware of the grace period allowed for homeless families. Providers, licensing, etc. are made aware of the policies through the Department's Child Care Monitors, through the DHSS electronic policy manual, administrative notices and monthly Early Childhood Council updates. At intake, families are given information regarding other services available to them. Families who reauthorized as well as the provider receive written notices of the authorization. This written notice ensures that providers will be reimbursed for services rendered during the grace period.