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8.1.3 CONNECTING CLIENTS DURING AN APPEAL No new Child Care Scholarship Program clients will be allowed to connect to an Child Care Scholarship Program facility during an appeal with SCDSS, the Child Care Scholarship Program, ABC Quality or Child Care Licensing. A provider may continue serving a child who is currently connected unless the health and/or safety of the child is jeopardized. However, if a provider is currently caring for a child and the services come up for renewal, or the family is determined to be eligible for extended weeks of care and the provider is under an appeal, the family will have to find alternative child care arrangements. Exception: If a child needs to be backdated to a start date prior to the appeal date, the Program Manager or designee may connect the child.

8.1.4 STAFF ROLES IN APPEALS/FAIR HEARINGS When a client requests a fair hearing as a result of a negative action, the Department of Individual and Provider Rights (DIPR) will notify the Child Care Scholarship Program. Child Care Scholarship Program staff are responsible for sending a copy of the denial or termination letter to DIPR. When DIPR schedules the fair hearing for the client, a copy of the letter will be sent to either the State Office or the county SCDSS office, depending on which office initiated the negative action. The appropriate staff is responsible for: • Completing a summary of the situation that led to the negative action AND • Submitting a copy of the summary, application and supporting documentation to DIPR and the client prior to the scheduled date of the fair hearing. This information must be completed and sent timely so that DIPR and the client receive it in advance of the scheduled fair hearing date. A fair hearing will be scheduled via the telephone unless the client requests a face-to- face hearing. On the date of the fair hearing, the appropriate county or State Office staff is responsible for attending the face-to-face hearing or for calling DIPR at (803) 898-8080 before the scheduled telephone hearing. The appropriate staff will represent SCDSS at the hearing and will be responsible for presenting the facts and situation which led to the negative action which resulted in the denial or termination of the client’s child care services.