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Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services July 7, 2018 Human & Community Services Page 4 of 4 certificate may be required to meet eligibility requirements outlined in Policy Section 1-6 or 1-7. Citizenship or Naturalization Verify citizenship or naturalization status of all children during eligibility determination for a Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship [BBCCS] under Child Care and Development Fund [CCDF] or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families [TANF] Child Care. Child Support Verification See Policy Section 2-2a. Child Care Service Plan Parents are responsible for selecting their child care provider, indicating the schedule for care needed, and indicating whether the child care provider is related to the child on the Child Care Service Plan in order for the form to be considered complete. The parent can communicate the same information in writing to the CCR&R. The CCR&R Eligibility Specialist may utilize CCUBS information to complete the provider section on the Plan. Child Care Authorization Plan When Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarships are approved, the parent and the child care provider each receive a copy of the child care authorization plan issued by the Child Care Under the Big Sky [CCUBS] database, which reflects the span of time the family is eligible to receive child care services. For details, see Issuing the Authorization Plan as outlined in Policy Section 6-3. Express Eligibility Individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program [SNAP], may qualify for express processing to determine income eligibility for participation in the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship program. All SNAP recipients will have the opportunity to indicate on their application or at the time of re-determination for Scholarship assistance that they are enrolled in SNAP. Earned and unearned income designated in the CHIMES database will be used to determine income eligibility. If no earned income is noted, the traditional method for determining income eligibility will be used. Express Eligibility can be applied to both employed wage earners and self-employed applicants. When using Express Eligibility to qualify a SNAP recipient for the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship program, the Eligibility Specialist must review with the applicant the Scholarship criteria to maintain eligibility as these may differ from those used by SNAP. Waiting List When the demand for Non-TANF Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarships exceeds the resources, the Early Childhood Services Bureau (ECSB) may implement a statewide waiting list. The Early Childhood Services Bureau (ECSB) will follow the list in ARM 37.80.201. Children with Special Needs If a parent indicates a child has a special need on the application, a referral to the Professional Development Specialist will be made.