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the schedule must have documentation from the instructor or academic advisor and indicate start and end times or total hours of participation required.

Between Class Time. For students receiving assistance, time in-between classes may be allowed up to a maximum of 10 hours per week. Ideally, the student will utilize these hours for study purposes.

7.3 Exceptions to Work/School Requirements Exceptions may be made to the work and school requirements if extraordinary factors exist. These will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will require documentation as to why the program requirements cannot be met. Generally, these include physical or mental limitations, which do not allow the applicant to meet the work/school requirement. If documentation does not sufficiently support the applicant’s claim of being physically or mentally incapable of meeting the requirements, eligibility will not be approved. These cases should be staffed with supervisors.

Exceptions. If a parent is not working or attending school, there may be other circumstances where Child Care Assistance could be allowed. Some examples are as follows:

• Need while incapacitated. An applicant or other household member may be exempt from meeting the work and education requirement if they are incapacitated and unable to provide care for their own child(ren). The applicant is required to submit a statement from a licensed or certified physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, psychologist, or social worker describing the recipient’s incapacity, specifying the length of time the incapacity is expected to last and stating whether or not the person who is incapacitated is able to care for the child for whom assistance is being requested. • Parenting classes, therapy, counseling, etc. In some situations, child care is needed for times when an applicant is enrolled in other activities. In all related situations, thorough supporting documentation must be submitted prior to approving child care. It is important to examine all aspects of the applicant’s situation prior to determining eligibility. Serious consideration should be given to those situations that can be answered with a “yes” to the following questions: o Is it medically necessary for the applicant so that he/she can maintain, resume, or eventually attain employment? o Is it court-ordered? o Is it recommended by Child Protection Services to allow the applicant to maintain custody of his/her child/children? Or would it positively influence the ability of the family to remain intact? o Is it in the best interest for the health, well-being, or safety of the child/children? o Is there enough supporting documentation from a medical professional that indicates exactly what the issues are, the recommended course of therapy/treatment, and the expected length of the program?