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13 from the locality, fails to complete the application process or submits a duplicate application prior to an eligibility determination being made. "Department" means the Virginia Department of Education. “Dependent care income disregard” means a certain amount of earned income used to pay for child care, which is not taken into consideration when determining eligibility for TANF benefits. “Disqualification” means the time period that recipients of child care or provider are barred from participating in the Child Care Subsidy Program due to a finding of fraud, intentional program violation, or due to failure to repay an overpayment according to the repayment schedule entered into with the local department. “Diversionary assistance” means a one-time lump sum payment to an individual or third party provider to prevent long-term receipt of TANF. “Division of Early Childhood Care and Education” (DECCE) is the division within the Department of Education that oversees, administers, and/or implements all aspects of Virginia’s unified early childhood care and education system, including the Child Care Subsidy Program, the monitoring and regulation of child care programs, and quality measurement and improvement. “Early Head Start” means a family-focused child development program serving children from birth to three years of age under Section 645A of the Head Start Act. "Education leading to employment" means the pursuit of basic remedial instruction to achieve a basic literacy level, instruction in English as a second language, preparation for GED or Adult Education, the completion of high school, associate degree or certificate, work at the college level or bachelor degree from a college or university if the course of instruction is limited to a curriculum directly related to the fulfillment of an individual's educational goal to obtain useful employment in a recognized profession or occupation. “Electronic Child Care” (VaECC) means the automated system used to record attendance at child care provider. “Eligibility period” means the minimum 12-month period an eligible recipient may receive services before eligibility is redetermined, despite any change in residency within the State or any eligible child turning 13 years of age. “Eligible” means that the family has met all of the criteria to be approved for receipt of child care services. “Emancipated minor” means a juvenile under the age of 18, but above the age of 16 who has been declared emancipated by a juvenile and domestic relations district court according to the Code of Virginia §§ 16.1-331-334.1. “Ethnicity” is defined by the Department of Health and Human Services as Hispanic or non-Hispanic. "Exit eligibility limit" means the maximum gross countable income amount that a family can receive to be considered income eligible at redetermination.