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viii. [ ] Other. Describe the activities and the results of these activities: e. What type of sanction will the Lead Agency place on clients and providers to help reduce improper payments due to intentional program violations or fraud? Check and describe all that apply: i. [x] Disqualify the client. Describe this process, including a description of the appeal process for clients who are disqualified. Describe the activities and the results of these activities based on the most recent analysis: A parent will be disqualified from Child Care and Parent Services (CAPS) for the following: • If a child care case is closed for failure to cooperate with an investigation, the parent will be disqualified from CAPS for three months, after which they may reapply. Limited exceptions to this disqualification may be granted through a waiver request for families participating in or transitioning from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and families with an active Child Protective Services (CPS) case. • Failure to respond to or honor the child care claim and repayment statement may result in closure of the child care case. If a child care case is closed for failure to respond to or honor a repayment statement, the parent will be disqualified from CAPS until the claim is paid in full, after which they may reapply. Limited exceptions to this disqualification may be requested through a waiver for families participating in or transitioning from TANF and families with an active CPS case. • If falsified documents or information resulted in the authorization of benefits for which the family was not eligible, the child care case may be closed (if the family would not have been eligible), benefits will be appropriately adjusted for the remainder of the eligibility period (if applicable), and a claim will be established for the difference between benefits received and benefits for which they were eligible. Additional sanctions may be imposed, up to and including case closure or disqualification from CAPS, as determined by CAPS administration.

Parents receiving subsidized child care have a right to appeal and receive a hearing regarding any actions instituted by the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) that impact a parent’s eligibility and/or any action that would require a reclaim of funds. Lack of funding availability is not appealable. It is also important to note the following situations are not appealable: applications disposed as unable to process or withdrawn, selection of a child care provider that has been previously terminated by the CAPS program, dissatisfaction with care or services provided by the child care provider, statewide or local limitations on CAPS funding that results in a denial of CAPS services, the natural expiration of a family’s eligibility period, any changes in federal or state law, regulations, or policies that affect entire populations. If a parent appeals an adverse action that was imposed during the eligibility period, the parent may elect to continue receiving benefits at the current level until the appeal is resolved or until the end of the current eligibility period, whichever comes first. Funds paid when this option is exercised may be subject to reclaim. If a parent appeals an adverse action imposed at annual redetermination, they may not elect to continue receiving benefits beyond the eligibility period preceding the annual redetermination. The parent must request an administrative hearing, as