Page 40

CAPS Policy – Priority Groups No.: CAPS/00-7 Effective Date: 10/01/2016 Revised: 03/02/2026 Revision Effective: 03/02/2026

CAPS Policy Manual

Page 40 of 109

Families experiencing domestic violence Description Program Requirements Eligibility Requirements 45-day Grace Period Families experiencing domestic violence are considered a priority group.

For the purpose of this policy, domestic violence includes any violent crime that is alleged by the family against any past or present spouses, persons who are parents of the same child, parents and children, stepparents and stepchildren, foster parents and foster children, or other persons living or formerly living in the same household. This shall also include emotional, psychological, physical, or sexual abuse as attested to by the applicant or formally documented by a referral agency, law enforcement, or a court of competent jurisdiction. Parents must: • Provide verification from the Georgia Department of Human Services, report to TANF, police report, court documents, proof of domestic violence shelter residence, or other third- party documentation verifying the family has experienced domestic violence.

• Meet non-financial eligibility requirements (Georgia residency, child citizenship or qualified alien status, immunization, and identity) as prescribed in CAPS Eligibility Requirements Policy (CAPS/00-6). • Meet CAPS income guidelines as prescribed in the CAPS Income Calculations Policy (CAPS/00-8). • Meet CAPS state- approved activity requirements as prescribed in CAPS Eligibility Requirements Policy (CAPS/00-6). When the program requirement documents have been submitted and confirmed, families may receive an additional 45 days from the date their application is processed to provide verification documents for the child’s citizenship or qualified alien status, child’s immunization (if applicable), activity, and income. The grace period for providing these verification documents will not postpone the eligibility determination.

If verification is not immediately available for the eligibility requirements stated above, parents must verbally attest that all eligibility requirements are met.

If verification of income is not immediately available, the family fee will be calculated based on the parent’s verbal attestation of income.

However, if verification documents are not received by the end of the 45-day grace period or if verification documents submitted by the parent do not meet all applicable eligibility requirements, the case will be determined ineligible for ongoing child care assistance due to a program violation.

Families of children with disabilities Description Program Requirements Eligibility Requirements Payment Authorization Families of children with a disability that impacts the child’s learning are considered a priority group. Disabilities that impact learning may include: • intellectual disabilities • hearing impairments (including deafness) • speech or language impairments Acceptable verification may include any of the following: • Written diagnosis and statement of how the child’s learning is impacted from a licensed medical specialist

Parents must: • Meet non-financial eligibility requirements (Georgia residency, child citizenship or qualified alien status, immunization, and identity) as prescribed in CAPS Eligibility • CAPS will reimburse up to the child care provider’s published rate, less the applicable CAPS family fee, for children with disabilities. • CAPS may reimburse a negotiated rate, less the applicable CAPS family fee, for children with disabilities.