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.” (a) a child with a disability, as defined in section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 USC1401); (b) a child who is eligible for Early Intervention services under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 USC1431 et seq.); (c) a child who is less than 13 years of age and who is eligible for services under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC794). e. “Families with very low incomes.” Family income that does not exceed 185% of FPL for their family size. 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] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: Children experiencing homelessness, as defined by CCDF [ ] [ ] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: (Optional) Families receiving TANF, those attempting to transition off TANF, and those at risk of becoming dependent on TANF [ ] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: a. Does the Lead Agency define any other priority groups? [ ] No. [x] Yes. If yes, identify the populations prioritized and describe how the Lead Agency prioritizes services: Teen parents enrolled full-time in elementary school, high school or high school equivalency classes. 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: Families that report they are experiencing homelessness and indicate an eligible employment or education activity at the time of application or redetermination are approved for 12 months and are given 90- days from the date of CCAP approval to submit documentation of an eligible activity and homelessness to continue their 12-month CCAP eligibility period. 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: Are given 90 days to produce records. CCDF funding is not withheld while documentation is being obtained. Children who are in foster care: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS), not the lead agency, provides child care assistance for Foster families using non-CCDF funds. 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: The lead agency has collaborated with the state child care licensing agency, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Servies (DCFS), to draft regulatory changes needed for licensed centers, homes and group homes to allow a 90-day grace period for experiencing homelessness to submit health, safety and immunization records after enrollment. IDEC also issued a notification to the field that the grace period should be granted prior to the change in rule. CCR&Rs have access to information on current immunization resources and can provide referrals to families as requested.