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Child Care Scholarship Policy Manual 52

All child care eligibility staff and Child Care Scholarship Program staff have access to the TANF/SNAP database also knows as Client History and Information Profile System (CHIP), which contains a client’s information about TANF/SNAP benefits. Staff also have access to the Child and Adult Protective Services System (CAPSS), which contains information about children in CPS and foster care cases. These systems are used to verify that clients are open in TANF, CPS or foster care cases, prior to determining child care eligibility. When researching cases and verifying information submitted by applicants, clients, or child care providers, staff may use the internet as a resource. Searching information on general websites for verification of addresses, phone numbers, public record searches for marriage licenses, births, etc. is permissible for all child care staff and may be used when determining eligibility. Based on child care funding eligibility criteria, in order to be eligible for child care assistance, the applicant must be working, in school, in a training program, complying with the TANF Family Plan, or permanently or temporarily disabled. If a two-parent household, both parents must be working, in school or in a training program or permanently or temporarily disabled. Income from employment, enrollment in school or participation in a training program will be verified. Also, an applicant who is disabled will verify disability income and submit a doctor’s statement (DSS Form 1247) to verify disability. An applicant must be determined eligible for child care based on the number of hours per week child care is needed. In addition to the number of hours the client is working, in school or training, credit hours or actual clock hours in school or training and travel time are considered. The hours child care is needed may not always coincide with the work hours of the parent. For example, a parent who works third shift needs to sleep during the day; therefore, child care may be approved during the day to help support the family. Study time is not considered when determining hours needed. The goal is to use a reasonable approach that supports the family’s efforts to be productive. A non-welfare reform parent must need a minimum of 15 hours of child care services per week per child. A TANF parent may not be required to participate a minimum of 15 hours.