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CAPS Policy – Definitions and Acronyms No.: CAPS/00-2 Effective Date: 10/01/2016 Revised: 10/06/2025 Revision Effective: 10/06/2025

CAPS Policy Manual

Page 11 of 109 family whose income meets CAPS income requirements; resides with a family whose assets do not exceed $1,000,000.00; and resides with a parent(s) who is employed or enrolled and participating in a vocational training or educational program, or receives, or has a need for protective services (as designated by CAPS).

Eligible Postsecondary Institution – a unit of the University System of Georgia; or a branch of the Technical College System of Georgia; or a private non-profit postsecondary institution located in Georgia that is authorized to participate in the Tuition Equalization Grant Program; a private proprietary (for profit) Baccalaureate Degree granting postsecondary institution located in Georgia that is eligible to participate in the Tuition Equalization Grant Program. The proprietary postsecondary institution must have met all requirements of the eligible postsecondary institution as defined by the Georgia Student Finance Commission by January 1, 2011.

Eligibility Period – a minimum 12-month period that each individual child receives for which a family is authorized to receive CAPS services as long as eligibility requirements are met.

Employment – work performed by the parent in exchange for pay.

English as a Second Language (ESL) – instruction and adult education for English language learners to achieve competence in reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension of the English language that leads to: the attainment of a secondary school diploma or high school equivalency; transition to postsecondary education and training; or employment.

Family Assessed Fee – the amount the family should pay to share in the cost of child care based on their income and their family unit size.

Family Child Care Learning Home – means a private residence operated by any person who receives therein for pay for supervision and care fewer than 24 hours per day, without transfer of legal custody, at least three but not more than six children under 13 years of age who are not related to such persons and whose parents are not residents in the same private residence as the provider and which is required to be licensed; provided, however, that the total number of unrelated children cared for in such home, for pay and not for pay, may not exceed six children under 13 years of age at one time, except that a provider may care for two additional children three years of age or older for two designated one hour periods daily upon approval by the Department.

Family Unit – persons who are considered in the family for the purpose of determining CAPS eligibility.

Foster Care – children in the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) that have been removed from their home and are under the supervision of DFCS.

Fraud – a criminal act in which a child care provider, parent, or authorized representative makes a false statement and/or withholds information willfully, knowingly, and with deceitful intent and, as a result, obtains or attempts to obtain payment or assistance for which he/she is not eligible.

Full Time Scholarship – the type of scholarship authorized when full-time child care is needed for three or more days within a service week.

General Equivalency Diploma (GED) – a program of study leading to a secondary school diploma.

Grievance – any complaint regarding program services, policies, or procedures offered through the Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program excluding those that are subject to an administrative hearing. Grievances are handled and reviewed by impartial members of CAPS leadership.

Gross Applicable Income – income that is counted toward the maximum allowable income limit.

Gross Wages/Salary – income earned from work/employment, including base pay and tips, commissions, piece rate payments, and cash bonuses prior to deductions.

Head Start (HS) – A federal-to-local community grant program that provides comprehensive child development and family support services for children 3 to 5 years of age and their families. For additional information, visit https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/programs/article/head-start-programs.