2.3 Prioritizing Services for Vulnerable Children and Families

Lead Agencies must give priority for child care assistance to children with special needs, families with very low incomes (considering family size), and children experiencing homelessness. A Lead Agency has the flexibility to prioritize other populations of children. Note: Statute defines children with disabilities, and CCDF rule gives flexibility to Lead Agencies to include vulnerable populations in their definition of children with special needs. CCDF defines “child experiencing homelessness” as a child who is homeless, as defined in Section 725 of Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a). 2.3.1 Lead Agency definition of priority groups Describe how the Lead Agency defines: d. “Children with special needs.” Any child with physical, mental, emotional, behavioral disabilities, or developmental delays identified on an individual education plan (IEP) or an individualized family service plan (IFSP). (IDAPA 16.06.12.011.10) e. “Families with very low incomes.” Families with very low incomes are families participating in Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho (TAFI). 2.3.2 Prioritization of child care services Identify how the Lead Agency will prioritize child care services for the following children and families. a. Complete the table below to indicate how the identified populations are prioritized. Population Prioritized Prioritize for enrollment in child care services Serve without placing on waiting list Waive co- payments as described in 3.3.1 Pay higher rate for access to higher quality care Use grants or contracts to reserve spots Other Children with special needs [ ] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: Families with very low incomes [ ] [x] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: Children experiencing homelessness, as defined by CCDF [ ] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [x] Describe: Families experiencing homelessness may use their participation with any shelter, agency, or program supporting the development of self sufficiency or rehousing as a qualifying activity. (Optional) Families receiving TANF, those attempting to transition off TANF, and those at risk of becoming dependent on TANF [ ] [x] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: a. Does the Lead Agency define any other priority groups? [x] No. [ ] Yes. If yes, identify the populations prioritized and describe how the Lead Agency prioritizes services: 2.3.3 Enrollment and grace period for children experiencing homelessness Lead Agencies must allow (after an initial eligibility determination) children experiencing homelessness to receive CCDF services while required eligibility documentation is obtained. Lead Agencies must establish a grace period that allows children experiencing homelessness and children in foster care to receive CCDF assistance while providing their families with a reasonable time to take any necessary actions to comply with State, Territory, or local immunization and other health and safety requirements. The length of such a grace period must be established in consultation with the State, Territorial, or Tribal public health agency. Note: Any payment for such a child during the grace period may not be considered an error or improper payment. a. Describe the strategies to allow CCDF enrollment of children experiencing homelessness while required eligibility documentation is obtained: The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) Self-Reliance Specialists (SRS) gather and record information for Child Care to process applications. For families experiencing homelessness that are not working, training, or participating in education, community partners/agencies may provide families with the child care activity form showing that the family is participating in a work or training program offered by a partner or agency which allows approval of child care. Once verified, children may enroll in child care while other required components are completed and or obtained. According to the administrative code coordinated by our Division of Public Health (IDAPA 16.02.11) parents and guardians of children attending daycare have up to fourteen days to comply with the immunization requirements (16.06.12.101 Compliance). A child who has received at least one dose of each required vaccine and is currently on schedule for subsequent immunizations may conditionally attend daycare when a schedule of intended immunizations form is provided (16.02.11.102). Additionally, in Idaho, any parent or guardian may exempt their children from daycare immunization requirements with a signed statement (IDAPA 16.02.11.110.02). b. Describe the grace period for each population below and how it allows them to receive CCDF assistance while providing their families with a reasonable time to take any necessary actions to comply with immunization and other health and safety requirements. i. Provide the policy for a grace period for: Children experiencing homelessness: A child must be immunized in accordance with IDAPA 16.02.11, ￿Immunization Requirements for Licensed Daycare Facility Attendees.￿ Immunization policies allow all children to receive care for up to 14 days before completing immunization requirements. (IDAPA 16.06.12.105.01) Children who are in foster care: A child must be immunized in accordance with IDAPA 16.02.11, ￿Immunization Requirements for Licensed Daycare Facility Attendees.￿ Immunization policies allow all children to receive care for up to 14 days before completing immunization requirements. (IDAPA 16.06.12.105.01) ii. Does the Lead Agency certify that the length of the grace period was established in consultation with the State, Territorial, or Tribal public health agency? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: c. Describe how the Lead Agency coordinates with licensing agencies and other relevant State, Territorial, Tribal, and local agencies to provide referrals and support to help families with children receiving services during a grace period comply with immunization and other health and safety requirements: IdahoSTARS supports child care providers serving children participating in foster care or experiencing homelessness by offering resources to connect families to agencies that provide immunizations.