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 child that has been evaluated and determined to have requirements above and beyond what’s typical for children of a similar age and developmental level. A child that is physically and mentally incapable of caring for their self. Citation: CCAP Policy Manual Volume VIII (MS 1020) e. “Families with very low incomes.” A family with income under $1600 per month. 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] [ ] [ ] [x] [ ] [ ] Describe: Families with very low incomes [x] [ ] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: Children experiencing homelessness, as defined by CCDF [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [x] Describe: Homeless households who meet or report meeting technical and financial eligibility are eligible for expedited CCAP services. They are entitled to immediate approval and eligibility starts when ID is provided. This specific group of homeless households have three (3) calendar months from the date of application to return all verification. Citation: CCAP Policy Manual Volume VIII (MS 1525) 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 (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: Other priority groups The Lead Agency prioritizes services for: • Families with verified employment in a CHFS Regulated Licensed or Certified child care program; and • Children receiving Protective and Preventive services. Citation: CCAP Policy Manual Volume VIII (MS 3040) 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: Homeless households who meet or report meeting technical and financial eligibility are eligible for expedited CCAP services. They are entitled to immediate approval and eligibility starts when ID is provided. This specific group of homeless households have three (3) calendar months from the date of application to return all verification. Citation: CCAP Policy Manual Volume VIII (MS 1525) 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: Children experiencing homelessness shall have child care assistance benefits available to them for a period of 30 days to allow the family time to comply with the immunization requirement. Immunization records are not collected by the Division of Community Based Services as a condition of initial eligibility for child care. Child care providers are responsible for obtaining and keeping on file a record of the child's immunizations. Citation: 922 KAR 2:090 Section 9(1)(a) Children who are in foster care: Children in foster care shall have child care assistance benefits available to them for a period of 30 days to allow the family time to comply with the immunization requirement. Immunization records are not collected by the Division of Community Based Services as a condition of initial eligibility for child care. Child care providers are responsible for obtaining and keeping on file a record of the child's immunizations. Citation: 922 KAR 2:090 Section 9(1)(a) 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: Parents have a 30-day grace period to submit immunization records to the child care provider as directed by the Division of Regulated Child Care in consultation with the Department of Health. The DCC-113/Facts About the Child Care Assistance Program is given to each parent at application (began November 17, 2023). This form gives the family resource information for their local Health Department, where they can receive assistance on obtaining their child’s immunizations or records.