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Child Care Scholarship Policy Manual 93

2.13 CRIMINAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE This eligibility category provides Child Care Scholarship for an individual living in a shelter to escape a domestic violence or sexual assault situation or who is receiving services from a state-funded domestic violence/sexual assault program. Parents must meet the basic Child Care Scholarship Program criteria and verification of participation with a State-funded domestic violence program as required. Eligibility criteria for this category is as follows: • Must be currently living in a criminal domestic violence shelter or participating in a shelter approved activity, such as counselling. • Applicant must be working, in school, in training or seeking employment opportunities (counselling through the shelters count as training hours) a minimum of 15 hours per week. • Must need child care a minimum of 15 hours per week. • Must be 18 years old or an emancipated minor. • Must be at or below 85% of State Median Income (SMI) • There is no co-pay for this category of care.

2.14 HEAD START WRAP AROUND CHILD CARE SERVICES

Head Start provides child care wrap-around services to a parent whose child is enrolled in a Head Start program. Parents applying for Head Start child care will be approved for child care without regard to income and there are no work, school, or training requirements. The application is completed through the local participating Head Start program or Early Head Start program and child care eligibility is processed by the Child Care Scholarship Program staff. Applications submitted by Head Start are presumed to meet criteria for participation in Head Start and will be considered categorically eligible for a child care scholarship as a result.

If approved for services, the child must attend the Head Start approved child care site for a minimum of two weeks before transferring to another provider. Head Start clients are funded for a full 12 months and are given age-appropriate care based on the age of the child. However, when enrolled in the Head Start program, the Child Care Scholarship Program pays only part time in order to extend the Head Start day. Full time may be given when the Head Start programs are closed and child care is needed for full time during school closings and summer care.