Page 120

July 1, 2026

119 Children who have before and/or after school care at one (1) provider may need a second authorization to a different provider for when school is closed. If a child only needs care when school is closed, the agency worker can create a “zero hour authorization” in CSAW (see 16.1.1.4.1).

Only children with part-time authorizations (20 weekly hours or less) or zero hour authorizations are eligible to receive additional funds for days when school is closed. A parent with a full-time authorization (more than 20 weekly hours) or an above full-time authorization (50-75 weekly hours) for their school-age child must be advised to use their current authorized hours to meet their school closed need.

Example 2: Tara previously worked full-time, third shift, but now works first shift for 15 hours per week. She has a 45-hour authorization for her child, Tina. She uses these hours in the evenings and on weekends. In March, Tara calls to request school closed hours for Tina for March 4 and the week of spring break (March 21—March 25). The agency worker informs Tara that the school closed hours cannot be authorized because she already has a full-time authorization.

School closed hours can be requested in advance by parents who know their school closed need ahead of time. School closed hours can also be requested within 10 calendar days after the school day closure whether the day was a planned school closed day or an unexpected closure. The 10 calendar days begins the day after the last day of the school closure or school closure period. A school closure period means multiple consecutive school closed days. Agency workers must document the reason for the school closure in case comments (see 12.2).

Example 3: Susie has a zero hour authorization for her school-age child, Derek. She calls on January 15 to request school closed hours for Derek. His school was closed January 4 and 5 due to a snowstorm but the child care program was open, and Susie needed to work. Because the request was made within 10 calendar days from the last day the school was closed consecutively, the agency worker may add the additional hours for the days Derek attended child care while school was closed.

Example 4: Jessica has a zero hour authorization for her school-age child, Laura. She calls on February 17 to request school closed hours for Laura because school was closed on February 5 and February 10. Because the request was made within 10 calendar days of February 10 but not February 5, the agency worker adds the additional hours only for February 10 for when Laura attended child care while school was closed. The agency worker does not add school closed hours for February 5 because Jessica requested the hours more than 10 calendar days after the school closure.

The following children are not eligible for school closed hours: • Children who are homeschooled