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Massachusetts TANF State Plan

connect with the local child care agency, the types of child care available, how to find licensed child care and supports available when your TAFDC case closes. Families who are working or are enrolled in an approved activity receive a referral for 12 months of fully subsidized child care. The referral remains active even if the parent or caregiver loses employment or their activity ends. Families on TAFDC with child care authorizations from DTA receive a subsidy for the full cost of child care and are not charged a parent fee. A family is eligible for a Transitional Child Care (TCC) referral for up to 24 months after their TAFDC case closes when they are employed for at least 20 hours a week or enrolled in an education or training program. There is no parent fee for TCC for the first 12 months. After month 12, families receiving TCC may be required to pay a parent fee by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), which is based on their income and family size. Upon verification that a family is eligible, DTA provides a written authorization for the TCC referral to EEC. This voucher is evidence of family relationship for all children included in the authorization. Parents must also submit evidence of their income, service need, residence and their relationship to children or dependent grandparents not included in the child care authorization. If a family demonstrates an inability to obtain needed child care assistance will not be reduced or terminated. Lack of available and appropriate state-standard child care is verified by a written, dated and signed statement from an appropriate official of the Department of Early Education and Care, stating that such services are unavailable during the hours of the applicant’s or client’s employment or training. If there is a breakdown of care not provided through a designated agency, a statement from the child care provider, or, if not available, a written, dated and signed statement from the applicant or client must be submitted. Appropriate child care is defined as each child-care provider, licensed by EEC, is generally considered an appropriate resource for recipients who need child care. The Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) agency staff will assist TANF recipients in making informed decisions regarding the child-care search by assessing each family's needs and reviewing available child-care options, which include the entire mixed delivery system (center-based, family child care, and license exempt options that are willing to enter into a voucher agreement at the state maximum rate for services). The CCRR makes referrals only to appropriate, licensed child-care providers and discusses licensed-exempt options, such as in-home and relative care. If the recipient refuses all referrals made by the CCRR, the recipient shall be deemed to have been offered appropriate and available child care, unless the recipient can provide a reasonable explanation to EEC why the child care should be considered unavailable to or inappropriate for the particular family. Reasonable distance is defined as each child-care provider, licensed by EEC, is generally considered an appropriate resource for recipients who need child care. The Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) agency staff will assist TANF recipients in making informed decisions regarding the child-care search by assessing each family's needs and reviewing available child-care options, which include the entire mixed delivery system (center-based,