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Child Care Assistance Program Policy Manual Issued 08/2022 Head start services 9.15.24 Whether child care can be authorized during the time that a child is receiving Head Start services depends on the type of Head Start services provided. The information in this chapter applies to Head Start and Early Head Start. Standard Head Start services Standard Head Start services are typically three to five hours per day. Children are eligible for CCAP payments for child care hours outside of the Head Start hours. Do not authorize care during the hours that the child attends Head Start. Full-day Head Start services CCAP defines full-day Head Start services as: • Services provided in one location for at least eight hours per day. • Head Start Performance Standards are met throughout the day. • Services are provided at a Head Start facility or through a partnership with a child care center or licensed family child care provider. Whether CCAP can pay or authorize services for the full day depends on the Head Start operating model. Model A – Head Start funds pay for cost of meeting performance standards In Model A, Head Start funds are used to pay for the cost of meeting Head Start performance standards such as the cost of training, curriculum, child assessment and comprehensive support services. CCAP funds are used to pay for core services such as space, utilities, supplies and staff. When a child attends a program providing full-day Head Start services under Model A, a full-day authorization can be authorized based on standard authorization requirements. See Chapter 9.1 (Child Care Authorization). Do not reduce the number of hours authorized based on the time the child participates in the Head Start program. List of approved programs There is an optional process for full-day Head Start Programs to have their model reviewed by Department of Human Services and Department of Education staff. Programs can submit the CCAP Integrated Full-Day Head Start Services Payment Application DHS-5776 (PDF) to determine if they meet Model A criteria.
Programs approved as Model A by the Departments are on a list on CountyLink under the heading “Guidance available for CCAP Children enrolled in Head Start.”
The list is not comprehensive since it is an optional process. If a program is not on the list, evaluate whether the program meets all criteria for Model A: