Page 14

CCDF POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL Effective 10/14/24. 14

Child with Special Needs

Definition of a Child with Special Needs A child who requires educational need or care resulting from learning difficulties, a physical disability, or emotional or behavioral difficulties.

Policy for a Child with Special Needs

Documentation for children with special needs under the age of thirteen (13) is required at initial application only. For children ages thirteen (13) or over, the required special needs documentation must be an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or a statement from a health care professional updated at every reauthorization.

ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTS To identify a child under the age of thirteen (13), with special needs, any of the following are appropriate documents. ➢ Proof of enrollment with Children with Special Health Care Services as provided by the State of Indiana; or ➢ Proof of enrollment in First Steps Early Intervention System; or ➢ A copy of the child’s Individualized Education Plan or IEP; or ➢ Verification of Supplemental Security Income (SSI); or ➢ Proof of enrollment in Head Start for a child professionally diagnosed with disabilities; or ➢ Statement from a health care professional which includes the child’s diagnosis.

PLEASE NOTE: If documentation of enrollment in at least one of the above indicated programs cannot be obtained, the child will not be considered a child with special needs until the documentation can be provided. A Provider and/or Applicant or Co-Applicant cannot self- declare a child has special needs.