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.” Defined as a child who is under the age of 19, who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care; or a child who has been identified through a written referral from a County Social Service Agency, legal, medical, social service agency, emergency shelter, or public school which indicates that the child has a serious physical, emotional or mental, or cognitive condition and child care services are required, as part of a treatment plan designed to stabilize or ameliorate the situation. The child of a teen parent is also considered a special needs child. See N.J.A.C. 10:15-1.2 and DFDI 24-03-02. e. “Families with very low incomes.” Defined as a family whose income is at 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and below. 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] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: (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: DHS/DFD also identifies teen parents and CPS as priority groups. Services for these populations are prioritized by the CCR&R, providing a priority level of admissions. 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: If an applicant meets the McKinney- Vento definition of homeless, but cannot obtain the required eligibility documents for child care assistance at time of application, the CCR&R approves a grace period for up to six (6) months for the applicant to obtain those documents. The CCR&R sends the applicant the McKinney-Vento Priority Service Approval Notice (CC-218), informing them of the grace period. The CCR&R contacts the applicant ninety (90) days prior to the end of their grace period to determine if the applicant needs additional referrals for supportive services. If the initial grace period was authorized for less than six (6) months, the CCR&R contacts the applicant thirty (30) days prior to the end of their grace period to determine if the applicant needs additional referrals for supportive services. The CCR&R also contacts the applicant sixty (60) days prior to end of the grace period to determine eligibility for continued child care assistance. This process is the same if the applicant is referred by a service provider. (DFDI 19-05-02). 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: Families of homeless children are permitted a 30-day grace period to take any necessary action to comply with immunization requirements. These children are provided CCDF funded child care services during the grace period. CCR&Rs, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Office of Licensing (OOL), provide technical assistance to providers servicing homeless children to ensure that their families are aware of New Jersey’s immunization policy and to support compliance with that policy. See DFDI 21-11-01. Children who are in foster care: Families of children in foster care are permitted a 30-day grace period to take any necessary action to comply with immunization requirements. These children are provided CCDF funded child care services during the grace period. CCR&Rs, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Office of Licensing (OOL), provide technical assistance to providers servicing children in foster care to ensure that their families are aware of New Jersey’s immunization policy and to support compliance with that policy. See DFDI 21-11-01. 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: The CCR&Rs work with applicants to help them obtain missing documentation, including immunization records. When necessary, CCR&Rs make referrals to Medicaid in order to facilitate medical appointments.