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1 CHILD CARE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM REGULATIONS

I A Introduction

The purpose of these regulations is to implement the Child Care Subsidy Program described in Vermont Statutes, 33 V.S.A. § 3512 – 3514, and in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, 45 CFR, Parts 98 and 99 which are the official regulations for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF).

The subsidy program in Vermont is called and is referred to herein as the Child Care Financial Assistance Program. This program assists eligible families with child care costs and also helps fund specialized child care services. These regulations set forth eligibility conditions for Child Care Financial Assistance, outline payments to eligible providers and outline conditions for terminating or reducing child care financial assistance benefits to families and/or child care providers participating in the program.

Goals of the Child Care Financial Assistance Regulations:

y Support an integrated child care system that ensures seamless delivery of quality services and supports accessible and affordable child care for families; y Set a standard for eligibility requirements and family intake procedures; and y Administer consistent procurement and payment policies/procedures.

The Department for Children and Families Commissioner may, in exceptional circumstances, grant a variance from these regulations when, at his or her discretion, the intent of these regulations and the goal of providing support to families and their children cannot be met.

I B Definitions

The following terms apply to these regulations as defined:

I B 1 Age Category Child Ages

Infant birth to < 24 months

Toddler 24 months to 36 months

Preschool 36 months to 60 months

School Age 60 months to 13 years (children with special needs

may be eligible to age 19)

I B 2 Appropriate Care and Supervision – Protecting from, or not exposing, a child to any unusual risk while also contributing to the child’s growth and development.