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Subject: Families First Child Care Policy 23.22 Date of Last Review: 11/16/2023 Effective Date: 12/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/16/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 5 4. At-Risk Child-Only (ARCO) is for Families First child-only caretakers who meet Transitional Child Care policy guidelines. See policy 11.17 At-Risk Child Care for Child Only Parent/Guardians. Child Care Eligibility Criteria 1. Certain eligibility criteria determine which children receive child care services. See policy 11.18 Transitional Child Care Payment Assistance for certificate eligibility criteria. 2. Child care payments will not be made to the following: a. The child’s parent, step-parent, guardian, or any member of the assistance unit (AU). b. Persons or agencies found guilty of, or validated as, child abuse perpetrators. 3. The caretaker relative has certain choices regarding how child care is paid and to whom. The caretaker may choose Licensed Care or Authorized Child Care Professionals. 4. Child care may not be provided in the child’s home, unless it is also the agency/professional’s residence. An exception may be granted by the Department on a case by case basis. 5. Child care is provided in units of care based on the number of hours for which child care is needed per week, i.e., full-time, part-time, or extended time as outlined in policy 11.33 Establishing Hours of Need for Child Care. 6. A minor parent, who is an eligible child in their parent’s AU and has signed a Personal Responsibility Plan (PRP), will also receive Families First Child Care Payment Assistance if the child care is required for them to fulfill the obligations on the PRP. Child Care Disregard Families First caretakers who are employed or in a work and/or educational activity and need assistance with child care have two options: 1. Child Care Payment Assistance paid by TDHS directly to the agency/professional, or 2. A child care deduction used in the Families First budget for the cost of care. The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) eligibility counselor will explain these options to the caretaker and determine which method of meeting child care expenses is to the caretaker’s advantage. The maximum child care disregard per child can be found on the Family Assistance Standards Desk Guide. The disregard cannot be given in the same month that Child Care Payment Assistance is paid by TDHS. If the caretaker has received a disregard, Child Care Payment Assistance will begin the month following the removal of the disregard. Families First Child Care Payment Assistance 1. In order to receive Child Care Payment Assistance, child care must be necessary for the caretaker to participate in work and/or education activities. a. Child Care Payment Assistance is not provided if the caretaker can arrange for free care.