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Table of Contents CAPS Policy Manual

Page 2 of 109 1 Overview ...............................................................................................................................................................5

Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) ......................................................................................................... 5

Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) ......................................................................................................................... 6 2 Definitions and Acronyms ..................................................................................................................................8

Definitions ...................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Acronyms ..................................................................................................................................................................... 16 3 Parent Rights and Responsibilities ................................................................................................................ 19

Purpose........................................................................................................................................................................ 19

Scope ........................................................................................................................................................................... 19

Parent Rights ............................................................................................................................................................... 19

Parent Responsibilities ................................................................................................................................................ 20 4 Application Process ......................................................................................................................................... 23

Purpose........................................................................................................................................................................ 23

Scope ........................................................................................................................................................................... 23

Filing an Application ..................................................................................................................................................... 23

Funding Availability ...................................................................................................................................................... 24

CAPS Interview ............................................................................................................................................................ 24

Verification ................................................................................................................................................................... 24

Application Status and Dispositions ............................................................................................................................. 24

Grievances and Appeals .............................................................................................................................................. 25

Consumer Education ................................................................................................................................................... 25 5 Family Unit......................................................................................................................................................... 27

Purpose........................................................................................................................................................................ 27

Scope ........................................................................................................................................................................... 27

Family Unit Overview ................................................................................................................................................... 27

Included in the Family Unit ........................................................................................................................................... 27 6 Eligibility Requirements ................................................................................................................................... 29

Purpose........................................................................................................................................................................ 29

Scope ........................................................................................................................................................................... 29

Residency Requirement ............................................................................................................................................... 29

Age Requirement ......................................................................................................................................................... 29

Child’s Citizenship Requirement .................................................................................................................................. 30

Child’s Immunization Requirement .............................................................................................................................. 32

Proof of Identity ............................................................................................................................................................ 33

State-Approved Activities ............................................................................................................................................. 33 7 Priority Groups ................................................................................................................................................. 38

Purpose........................................................................................................................................................................ 38

Scope ........................................................................................................................................................................... 38

Priority Groups Overview ............................................................................................................................................. 38

Child Protective Services (CPS) and court-ordered supervision cases ........................................................................ 39

Children in Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) custody ........................................................... 39

Families experiencing domestic violence ..................................................................................................................... 40

Families of children with disabilities ............................................................................................................................. 40

Families of children enrolled in Georgia’s Pre-K Program ........................................................................................... 41

Families participating in or transitioning from TANF ..................................................................................................... 42

Families who have experienced a natural disaster ...................................................................................................... 43

Families who lack fixed, regular, and adequate housing .............................................................................................. 43

Families with very low income ...................................................................................................................................... 44

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) ............................................................................................................... 44

Minor parents ............................................................................................................................................................... 45

Need to Protect ............................................................................................................................................................ 45

Student Parent ............................................................................................................................................................. 45