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______________________________________________________________________________ DIVISION OF WELFARE AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES Child Care Policy Manual 144 Selection of a Child Care Provider It is the parent’s/caretaker’s responsibility to select a child care provider. Child care staff may assist in providing the parent/caretaker with information about local child care providers; however, they must not recommend or endorse any program or service. Families are encouraged to visit and interview several programs prior to making a final decision. Refer to MS 600 for additional provider information. 144.1 NEON Clients Unable to Find Suitable Child Care 45 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 98.33 (b) requires the Child Care Program to inform parents who receive NEON/TANF that if a single custodial parent of a child less than six years of age cannot find suitable child care, based on the definitions provided in the DWSS TANF State Plan, DWSS staff may make an exception to the work requirements. The parent must provide proof to substantiate the claim of unsuitable child care. The Child Care case manager must complete the Single Parent NEON Exception, Form 2139-WC, and send it along with the verification provided by the parent to the appropriate NEON staff for a decision. DEFINITIONS • Appropriate Child Care - Child care chosen by the parent offering developmentally appropriate practices which meet the needs of the parent and child. • Reasonable Distance - A parent should not have to travel more than 60 minutes to drop off their child at the care provider location and 60 minutes to pick up their child. • Unsuitability of Informal Care - Informal child care is unsuitable if it is not being provided legally or does not meet basic health and safety standards as outlined in the Child Care State Plan. Note: Legal child care is defined as licensed care, if required by state/county/city law. If licensing is not required by law, the provider must be registered with the Child Care Program. Informal child care is unsuitable if circumstances exist that may cause possible abuse, neglect or harm to children as outlined in city, county and/or state statutes. Informal child care is unsuitable if the arrangements do not support the working schedule of a parent, are not affordable, are not easily accessible, or do not meet quality standards as defined by the parent. • Affordable Child Care Arrangements - Affordable child care is child care that does not exceed 7% of the parent’s gross income. 150 COOPERATION 151 Cooperation with Child Care Program Requirements The household is required to cooperate with the CCDP in securing all information needed to determine initial or continuing eligibility. Failure to do so results in ineligibility for the entire child care household. The case manager may assist in obtaining verification when a household is cooperating but is unable to provide the required verification. If a third-party refuses to supply information without an individual’s permission, the signature page of the most recent application may be used as an authorization to release information. To protect the household’s privacy, the case manager must not copy the top portion of the application where the client reports income, education, or provider information. 152 Cooperation with DWSS and/or CCDP 100-Program Overview [17] MTL 01/24 July 1, 2024