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.” CDD defines children with special needs as children with special physical, behavioral, or developmental needs whose need for child care is documented by an individualized plan of care (e.g., an IEP, Individual Family Service Pan/Children’s Integrated Services One Plan ("CIS One Plan"), or treatment plan/Individual Plan of Care ("IPC") and authorized by a health provider. e. “Families with very low incomes.” CDD defines Families with very low incomes as families <=175% FPL and have a $0 family share. Priority rules in this category also apply to eligible children in families receiving Reach Up benefits. 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] [ ] [ ] Describe: Families with very low incomes [ ] [x] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: 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 experiencing homelessness, as defined by CCDF [ ] [x] [ ] [x] [ ] [ ] Describe: (Optional) Families receiving TANF, those attempting to transition off TANF, and those at risk of becoming dependent on TANF [ ] [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: Prioritization occurs for children in families experiencing significant short-term stress as determined by a structured interview with the family, CIS team review, scoring using a rubric, and eligibility determination. CDD waives the service need eligibility requirements. Children who are adopted from DCF FSD with an Adoption Assistance Agreement are also prioritized with co-payments waived. 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: Eligibility Specialists may assist families in obtaining documentation needed for their application. Families who are experiencing homelessness may also be referred to Family Support Child Care if there are challenges with required eligibility documentation. The Specialized Child Care Coordinator (SCCC) can support the family in obtaining required eligibility documentation, or waive documentation requirements as needed so that families experiencing homelessness can receive CCFAP as soon as possible and there is not a delay in receiving CCFAP if required documentation cannot be submitted. The documentation waiver would be in effect for the duration of the Family Support Child Care year of eligibility. 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: Vermont's policy is to give caretakers of children experiencing homelessness up to a six (6) month grace period to either provide an updated immunization record and/or to get caught up with their immunization. Children who are in foster care: Vermont's policy is to give caretakers of children who are in foster care up to a six (6) month grace period to either provide an updated immunization record and/or to get caught up with their immunization. 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: CDD works collaboratively with VDH when children experience homelessness or are living in foster care to allow for up to a six (6) month grace period to either provide an updated immunization record and/or to get caught up with their immunizations. When a child experiences homelessness and the caregivers of a child living in foster care is unable to provide documentation, the child care provider must complete a Notice of Provisional Admittance and Exclusion form to VDH and keep documentation in the child’s file.