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CAPS Policy – Participating Providers No.: CAPS/00-11 Effective Date: 10/01/2016 Revised: 10/01/2024 Revision Effective: 10/01/2024

CAPS Policy Manual

Page 64 of 109 recreational, religious, or instructional activities. The day camp programs may operate during summer and other school breaks and shall operate for no more than 12 hours per day. Informal Child Care Providers 11.6.1 Informal providers can only be used by a parent if one of the following criteria exists. Families who request to use an informal provider must verbally attest which of the following criteria apply. • No other licensed care is available within a reasonable geographic area • Care is during non-traditional hours when licensed care is not available • The child in care meets the definition of children with disabilities • 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 • Families are impacted by transportation • Parental choice as it relates to religious, race, and ethnic considerations • Other considerations as identified by the family and approved by DECAL 11.6.2 Informal providers must be 21 years of age or older to receive payment through CAPS. Informal providers are not required to be licensed but must enroll with the CAPS program. Informal providers can care for a maximum of six children for pay. This includes a combination of related and unrelated children as prescribed below. The following types of informal providers may participate in CAPS. 11.6.2.1 Relative informal providers include caregivers related to the child by blood, marriage, or adoption, such as an aunt, uncle, grandparent, great-grandparent, or adult sibling. A. The relative must not be included in the family unit. B. The relative informal child care arrangement may take place at the relative’s residence or in the child’s residence. However, adult siblings that are informal providers must live in a separate residence from the eligible children receiving subsidies. C. If the relative cares for children for pay, the total number of children in care cannot exceed six. Of the children in care, no more than two can be unrelated for pay. D. If the relative care is for more than six related children for pay (as described by Child Care Services licensing rules), they are required to obtain a license from DECAL. E. For relative informal providers, a maximum of six children are allowed at the residence where care is provided. 11.6.2.2 Non-relative informal providers include individuals who are not related to the child by blood, marriage, or adoption. A. The non-relative must provide care in their own residence and may not be a resident of the household of the children receiving care. B. If the non-relative cares for more than two unrelated children for pay, they are required to obtain a license from DECAL. C. Parents or adults acting in loco parentis are unable to receive subsidy payment for their own children. D. For each child in DFCS custody, the State shall be considered the parent. Therefore, a foster parent of each child in DFCS custody is not considered the parent for the purposes of CAPS. 11.6.2.3 CAPS will not approve participation for more than one informal provider at an address. 11.6.2.4 As described by Child Care Services licensing rules, relative and non-relative informal providers who care for more than six related children or more than two unrelated children must obtain a license from DECAL. For more information, visit: http://www.decal.ga.gov/CCS/StartingACenter.aspx