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Child Care Scholarship Policy Manual 24

1.3 CONFLICT OF INTEREST WHEN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY A conflict of interest is defined as a situation (actual or perceived interest) in which staff decisions are influenced by their personal interests. The definition includes any bias or the appearance of being bias in a decision-making process that would reflect a dual role played by staff. Child care staff must maintain program integrity in all aspects of their jobs at all times and are to avoid any conflict or appearance of a conflict of interest. Child Care Scholarship Program staff are responsible for answering the Child Care Scholarship Program Control Center phone lines for clients and providers and determining eligibility for child care services. The child care staff should not review, determine eligibility, nor consult on any case involving a person related to them or any case where there is any type of relationship, such as a friend or neighbor. Any case where a conflict of interest exists, or may exist, should be brought to the attention of a supervisor immediately. The supervisor must assign the case to another worker who is not related to, nor has any conflict of interest, with any person included in the case. Note: Child care staff, including supervisors, should refrain from searching for or researching cases on staff, co-workers, friends, relatives and acquaintances.

1.4 VOLUNTARY PROGRAM The Child Care Scholarship Program is a voluntary program. A licensed, registered, waivered, exempt and/or approved child care provider may enroll into the program if they meet the enrollment criteria. Family, Friend, or Neighbor providers may also enroll but enrollment is specific to the family or families served. 1.5 MANDATED REPORTER Child Care Scholarship Program staff, as well as all other agency employees, are required to report any suspected abuse or neglect to the appropriate entities. The following is an excerpt of the SC Code of Laws on Mandated Reporters: SECTION 20-7-510. Persons required or permitted to report; method; confidentiality. (A) A physician, nurse, dentist, optometrist, medical examiner, or coroner, or an employee of a county medical examiner's or coroner's office, or any other medical, emergency medical services, mental health, or allied health