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.” The Lead Agency defines children with special needs as children that needs individualized materials, equipment, or instruction; the child is diagnosed with developmental delays; or the child demonstrates a delay in cognitive, communication, motor, or social development. Referral sources include SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, BabyNet (IDEA, Part C), SC School for the Deaf and Blind, Children's Rehabilitative Services, Easter Seals, Bright Start, SC Autism Society, other contracted Early Intervention providers throughout the state or an IEP, IFSP, or 504 Plan developed by the local school districts. Child care for children with disabilities is part of the priority of child care funding. Funding is monitored to ensure ongoing services. e. “Families with very low incomes.” The Lead Agency defines families with very low income as families whose gross monthly income falls below the established SMI. TANF recipients are prioritized based on lower gross income levels. 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] [x] [x] [ ] [x] [x] Describe: The Lead Agency applies a $20 differential payment to the weekly rate for child care providers serving children with special needs. Families with very low incomes [x] [x] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: Children experiencing homelessness, as defined by CCDF [x] [x] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: (Optional) Families receiving TANF, those attempting to transition off TANF, and those at risk of becoming dependent on TANF [x] [x] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: a. Does the Lead Agency define any other priority groups? [ ] No. [x] Yes. If yes, identify the populations prioritized and describe how the Lead Agency prioritizes services: The Lead Agency prioritizes child care for all child welfare cases such as child protective services and foster care related categories. Additionally, the following categories are also prioritized and include dual language learners (DLL), children eligible for the 4K program to include siblings (4K+Siblings), First Steps evidence based program initiative, child care after adoption (AdoptCC), Kinship Guardianship (KinGap), child care after reunification (Reunify CC), CCDF-Caretaker Relative (CCDF-CR), Starlight Recovery Program (RECOVERY), Family Literacy Child Care (FAMLIT), SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T), Anderson Interfaith Ministries (AIM) and Criminal Domestic Violence (CDV)program. 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: The Child Care Scholarship eligibility staff receives a referral on the homeless coalition letterhead that the family has met the McKinney-Vento definition for homelessness. If the child is school-age, a letter will be sent from the Department of Education providing the verification of their homeless status defined by the McKinney-Vento act. Note: For direct referrals, an in office third party verification is done to document that a family meets the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness. The child will be allowed to attend during the 90-day grace period to allow time to obtain eligibility documentation. Child care assistance may be available for families experiencing homelessness. Child care slots are provided in coordination with the State Department of Education Homeless liaison and the four homeless coalition continuum of care organizations throughout the state: • Eastern Carolina Homeless Organization • Low Country Homeless Coalition • Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless • United Housing Connections According to the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness, a family will be considered homeless when they lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. The lack of a fixed nighttime residence includes loss of housing, economic hardship, living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations or are living in emergency or transitional shelters. Furthermore, living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings. To qualify for funding for the homeless child care scholarship, a family must: • Meet the McKinney-Vento definition of homeless (above) • Must provide verification of homelessness via a letter on Coalition (if not school aged) or Department of Education letterhead (if the child in care is a school aged child) indicating that the family has been determined to meet the definition of homelessness as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act. Note: For direct referrals, an in office third party verification is done to document that a family meets the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness. This verification cannot be done by the staff person that is also determining eligibility. • Must be at or below 85% of the state median income at the time of application. • Must be working, in school, in training or actively searching for work. A grace period of 90 days may be given to allow the parent the time to obtain documentation of employment, school or training. During the grace period, the children are allowed to enroll with a child care provider. • If working, the most recent 30 days of pay stubs is preferred or a letter from the employer indicating the number of hours worked per week and the rate and frequency of pay. • If in school, a copy of the current school schedule and proof of paid registration. • If in a job search component, it should be indicated at the time the application is submitted. The applicant will be given 12 weeks (3 months) of presumptive eligibility. • If in a current drug and/or alcohol or mental health treatment program, it should be indicated at the time the application is submitted. The applicant will be given 12 weeks (3 months) of presumptive eligibility. • Must have a child under the age of 13 in need of child care services A family that is homeless may receive a maximum of 2 consecutive years of funding at the same address. Exceptions to policy may be made on a case by case basis with approval from the Program Manager. If the family becomes employed after the 12 weeks of presumptive child care, eligibility will be extended and a full 12 months of eligibility will be given. NOTE: A child who turns age 13 during their child care eligibility period will continue to receive services through the end of the current eligibility period. Clients approved for funding under the homeless initiative will not have a co-pay. However, if the child care provider charges more than the Child Care Scholarship Program can pay, the provider may require the parent to pay the difference. There is no co-pay for this category of care. 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: Child Care Licensing works in coordination with SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) as necessary to help obtain needed immunization records for children experiencing homelessness within 90 days of enrollment. Child care providers contact their regional licensing office when assistance is needed with obtaining immunizations and/or other health and safety paperwork. Children who are in foster care: Child Care Licensing works in coordination with SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) as necessary to help obtain needed immunization records for foster children within 90 days of enrollment. Child care providers contact their regional licensing office when assistance is needed with obtaining immunizations and/or other health and safety paperwork. Child care licensing works with the foster care case manager as needed to obtain this information. 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: Child Care Licensing is part of the Lead Agency and works in coordination with SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) as necessary to help obtain needed immunization records for foster children and children experiencing homelessness. Child care providers contact their regional licensing office when assistance is needed with obtaining immunizations and/or other health and safety paperwork. Child care licensing works with the foster care case manager as needed to obtain this information.