11.3.3.1.2 Demonstrating an Inability to Obtain Child Care

An inability to obtain child care must be based on the following reasons:

Child Care Type Reason Formal Child Care: Provided by a certified or licensed child care facility. Child care is not available in a reasonable distance*. Child care facilities in the area do not have space available for the child. Certified or licensed child care facilities, including a W-2 agency with certified or licensed on-site child care, must not be considered available if there is documentation that the facility would be harmful to the health or safety of the child. Informal Child Care : An arrangement where the child care provider is not licensed or certified. Child care by a relative or under other arrangements is unavailable or unsuitable. Any W-2 participant can use informal child care, but a participant cannot be required to use informal child care. (See Child Care Policy Manual, Chapter 1 )

The FEP will work with the participant to determine what a reasonable distance is on a case-by-case level. The FEP must document the decision that is made and reason(s) in PIN comments.

If the participant is unable to demonstrate an inability to obtain child care, they may face payment reductions for nonparticipation.

An inability to obtain appropriate child care may be indicative of a shortage of child care providers in the community (including sick child care, evening and weekend care, culturally competent child care, and care for disabled children) and W-2 agency management should be alerted.