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.” A special need is defined as a physical or mental condition which severely limits the child’s ability to care for himself/herself, or an emotional condition that places the child or others at risk. e. “Families with very low incomes.” The household’s income is less than or equal to 130% of FPL. 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] [x] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: (Optional) Families receiving TANF, those attempting to transition off TANF, and those at risk of becoming dependent on TANF [x] [x] [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: CPS and Foster children are also priority populations, including those participating in a ￿Voluntary￿ or ￿Reunification Plan￿ with the local CPS agency. CPS and Foster children are prioritized for enrollment, are not placed on a waiting list when active, and their copayments are waived. Children receiving wraparound services in collaboration with Early Head Start/Head Start are also priority populations - prioritized for enrollment and their copayments are waived. Parents who are attending an approved substance use disorder (SUD) treatment or recovery program through the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health are also a priority population - prioritized for enrollment and their copayments are waived. 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: Households experiencing homelessness are allowed up to 90 days to provide verifications. 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: Households experiencing homelessness are allowed up to 90 days to provide verifications, including immunization records or to come into compliance with immunization requirements. Children who are in foster care: Households who have children in foster care are allowed up to 90 days to provide verifications, including immunization records or to come into compliance with immunization requirements. 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: Child Care Licensing surveyors can work with child care providers to access Nevada WebIZ to help a family access and print a child’s official immunization record. CCR&R staff provide referrals to local public health agency clinics where families can receive low to no-cost immunizations for their children.