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 child with special needs is defined as a child receiving supplemental security income (SSI), SoonerStart early intervention services, or special education services provided in accordance with an IEP by the local school district. This definition includes a child who meets the medical definition of disability as determined by the Social Security Administration but does not meet the financial criteria to receive SSI benefits. e. “Families with very low incomes.” The definition of families with very low incomes includes families with income amounts that don’t rise to the level of a copayment on the DHS Appendix C-4, Child Care Eligibility/Copayment Chart. These families are prioritized with a zero-family share copayment. TANF families are also included in the definition and have a zero-family share copayment. 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] [ ] [ ] Describe: 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 Families with very low incomes [ ] [ ] [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? [x] No. [ ] Yes. If yes, identify the populations prioritized and describe how the Lead Agency prioritizes services: 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: Homeless families may be approved for 30 calendar days of presumptive child care allowing time for the family to provide required documentation. 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: Oklahoma allows a grace period of at least 30 days for homeless families to comply with immunization and health and safety requirements. Children who are in foster care: Oklahoma waives immunization and health and safety requirements for foster children for at least 30 days to allow for expedited enrollment in child care. 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 Lead Agency is responsible for monitoring within the state and works to ensure that families experiencing homelessness or entering foster care have at least 30 days grace period to obtain required immunizations and other health and safety requirements. The Lead Agency works collaboratively with the State Department of Health for recommendations of immunizations following state and federal guidelines. Families are directed to their local health department, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and local community health services for additional assistance.