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The special needs category will cover most of the situations in which a child care provider is making accommodations. There may be some circumstances that require significant services beyond the typical accommodations, where advanced special needs may be applied. In the event enhanced services or accommodations are necessary to meet the child’s needs, a higher rate of reimbursement may be available to help off-set additional expenses the child care provider may incur while providing suitable care for the child. Both special needs and advanced special needs categories require documentation of the child’s special need that requires accommodation and a provider questionnaire. A child’s limited abilities must be documented, and a provider must be making an accommodation in day-to-day care that would justify a higher CCA rate. Not all special needs cases require an enhanced CCA rate. A child with special needs may be eligible for CCA if they meet the following age criteria: • The child is under age 18 and physically or mentally incapable of self-care. • The child is under age 19, is enrolled in school and expected to graduate, and is physically or mentally incapable of self-care. • The child is under age 18, or under age 19 if enrolled in school and expected to graduate and is under court supervision. • If the child is over the age of 13, documentation from a medical professional detailing the child’s limitations must be provided with the CCA application.

All special needs cases will be handled by the CCA State office by an Elevated Worker. When reported on the application, these cases will route to the Child Care State Office. If special needs are requested on an existing CCA case after receipt of the application, these cases should be referred to Child Care State Office by the EABS. This includes cases with Medical Assistance. State office staff will work to coordinate eligibility determinations for both CCA and MA.

The Elevated Workers review the special needs verification and provider rate justification form and complete a Special Needs/Advanced Special needs Determination form prior to the rate being applied to the case. The Elevated Worker will then complete the special needs evidence and either complete the determination or notify the EABS that evidence is completed.

Not all special needs cases require a special needs rate. There may be instances where a child is allowed to receive CCA past the age of 13 due to a special need that a special rate is not required. Children who are determined eligible for CCA due to a special need may be age 18 and in high school at the time of application may remain eligible for assistance until they turn 19.

6.3.7 Military Families There may be situations when a military family may be called to active duty and will need to leave their children with friends or relatives. CCA defines these living arrangements as living in the home due to military deployment. In these situations, CCA shall disregard the income of the family who has accepted parental control/care of the children and the deployed parent(s) when determining eligibility. However, all other program requirements regarding minimum work, school, and child care provider requirements shall be applicable. • The situation must be one resulting from an official declaration of war made by the President of the United States. • Documentation must be submitted to verify that the parent is being deployed to serve in a military operation resulting from a declared act of war. • Unearned income of the child shall be countable. • The applicant must reside in the state of South Dakota.

In Situations where only one parent in a two-parent household is currently deployed income of both parents should be reported and is countable for CCA. When a parent is reported as currently