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Vermont Department for Children and Families Economic Services Division Reach Up Services Rules 2300 11

counseling that will assist them in making an informed choice among available child care providers, shall be referred to the local child care referral specialist.

2309.1 Child Care Assistance Eligibility Criteria (08/01/2024, 23-30)

a. Participants in FDP activities, employed or self‐employed, are eligible for child care assistance, subject to all of the following conditions.

1. The child care is necessary to enable a participant to accept or retain employment or self‐ employment or participate in a FDP activity and neither parent/caretaker is available and able to provide the necessary care.

2. Child care assistance is not allowed for child care required by unpaid volunteer work unless such volunteer work is related to the participant's employment goal and is an activity included in the FDP. 3. The hours for which child care assistance is requested are reasonably related to a participant's hours of employment or self‐employment, or to an activity included in the FDP. 4. The participant requests child care assistance and provides information to the Department about their income, the child requiring care, and provider of care information. 5. The child requiring care is a member of the Reach Up household or a child within the household receiving SSI/AABD or foster care benefits under Title IV‐E. 6. The child requiring care fits within one of the following groups: i. Under the age of 13; ii. At least 13 years of age, but under the age of 19, eligible for special education services in accordance with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan, and not capable of providing safe self‐care as verified by the written report of a licensed physician or licensed psychologist; iii. At least 13 years of age, but under the age of 19, with a documented physical, emotional, or behavioral condition that precludes the child from providing self‐care or being left unsupervised, as verified by the written report of a physician or licensed psychologist; or iv. At least 13 years of age, but under the age of 19, and under court supervision. 7. The provider of care is: i. Licensed, registered, or has been granted Approved Relative Child Care (ARCC) provider status by CDD; ii. Exempt from licensing or registration regulation under 33 VSA §3502 (b); iii. A town or school summer youth recreation program with hours that enable the child's parent/caretaker to engage in FDP activities; iv. Awaiting ARCC provider status from CDD; or v. Licensed, registered, or exempt under the law of the jurisdiction in which the child care is provided, if the provider is not located in Vermont.

8. The child care assistance takes into account the individual needs of the child and is appropriate to their age and special needs and the location of care is reasonably accessible to the child's home, school, or the participant's place of employment or FDP activity.