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76 | P a g e FFY 2025–2027 CCDF State Plan

The Lead Agency must allow for in-home care (i.e., care provided in the child’s own home) but may limit its use. Will the Lead Agency limit the use of in-home care in any way? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If yes, what limits will the Lead Agency set on the use of in-home care? Check all that apply. i. [ ] Restricted based on the minimum number of children in the care of the in- home provider to meet the Fair Labor Standards Act (minimum wage) requirements. Describe: ii. [x] Restricted based on the in-home provider meeting a minimum age requirement. Describe: The provider must be at least 21 years old. iii. [ ] Restricted based on the hours of care (i.e., certain number of hours, non- traditional work hours). Describe: iv. [ ] Restricted to care by relatives. (A relative provider must be at least 18 years of age based on the definition of eligible child care provider.) Describe: v. [ ] Restricted to care for children with special needs or a medical condition. Describe: vi. [ ] Restricted to in-home providers that meet additional health and safety requirements beyond those required by CCDF. Describe: vii. [x] Other. Describe: Per Lead Agency policy, In-home care is considered an Informal Caregiver. An Informal Caregiver is a family, friend, or neighbor who provides care for no more than two unrelated (or no more than six related) children for pay. Informal Caregivers are not required to be licensed but must register with the CAPS program. Informal care can only be authorized in limited situations as detailed in CAPS Participating Providers Policy (CAPS/00-11) when one of following criteria exists: 1) No other licensed care is available within a reasonable geographic area; 2) Care is during non-traditional hours when licensed care is not available; 3) The child in care meets the definition of children with disabilities; 4) The child’s primary language is other than English, and no licensed provider equipped for dual language families is available within a reasonable geographic area. 4.5.3 Shortages in the supply of child care Lead Agencies must identify shortages in the supply of child care providers that meet parents’ needs and preferences. What child care shortages has the Lead Agency identified in the State or Territory, and what is the plan to address the child care shortages? a. In infant and toddler programs: i. Data sources used to identify shortages: The Lead Agency houses an internal Research and Policy Analysis Team that conducts ongoing analyses using existing administrative data and publicly available data to evaluate supply and demand.