Page 138

July 1, 2026

137 For all reported changes not listed in Section 17.1.1, or when the parent reports a change listed in Section 17.1.1 but is in an Activity Break Period, the authorized hours must be based on continuity of care. Reported changes include but are not limited to: • A decrease in child care need from more than 20 hours per week (full-time authorization) to less than 20 hours per week (part-time authorization) to allow the parent(s) to participate in their approved activities, including travel between the child care provider and the location of the activity • A change in the overlapping activity schedules of two-parent families • When a school-age child transitions from the end of the school year to summer break • A change in a child’s shared placement schedule • Any change that results in a change in child care need, except when the child care need no longer aligns with the provider’s hours of operation which will require an authorization to be based on the assessment results (see 17.1.1)

Following the reported change, the parent may: • Choose an authorization for the reduced hours • Maintain the original number of authorized hours • Request an authorization for any number of hours between the original authorized hours and the new assessment results

If the parent chooses to maintain authorized hours, the agency worker must document the reported change in case comments but must not update the authorization (see 17.1). If the parent chooses the reduced hour authorization or any number of hours between the original authorized hours and the new assessment results, the agency worker must document the conversation and the parent’s choice for a reduced authorization in case comments (see 12.2).

If at any time the parent informs the agency worker that the child will attend the child care provider part-time when they have a full-time authorization, or less than 50 hours when they have an above full-time authorization, the agency worker must create a new, reduced authorization that aligns with the parent’s request. Parents are required to report when they have a decrease in child care need from more than 20 hours per week (full-time authorization) to less than 20 hours per week (part-time authorization) or when they no longer need child care (see 10.1). If a parent reports a change in hours that is still within part-time or within full-time, agency workers must document the reported change in case comments but must not update the authorization (see 17.1).

Example 1: Annabelle works at Main Street Café 25 hours each week. She has an authorization for 30 hours per week which includes travel time. In June, she reports that