Use of the Guide
Purpose of the Guide:
The purpose of this Guide is to provide Federal agencies, Federal employees,
child care providers, and child care governing boards with useful information
related to the child care legislation that permits agencies to spend
appropriated funds (including revolving funds available for salaries
and expenses) to assist their lower income employees with the costs
of child care.
How to Use the Guide:
The information contained in this guide is a supplement to the child
care regulation, published in March, 2003. (5 CFR Part 792). The guide
focuses on procedural matters related to the law. The information in
the guide can be used as is or can be changed to suit the needs of each
agency. The agency form for reporting annual child care subsidy results
to OPM, Form 1645, is mandatory and cannot be altered.
This legislation is permanent. The materials and information in this
guide are intended to assist agencies in expediting the process of distributing
funds for child care costs of lower income Federal employees.
The law and regulations allow maximum flexibility in interpreting the
definition of “lower income Federal employee” provided the
intent of the law specifying “lower income” is respected.
The guide contains various models for child care subsidy programs that
can help agencies decide on a model that suits their needs. An agency
may choose to use one of the models or create their own program criteria.
Which agencies have this authority?
Executive agencies, with the exception of the General Accountability Office
(GAO), have this authority. The authority includes the Department of
Defense. Agencies may use any appropriated funds, including revolving
funds that are ordinarily used for salaries and expenses for this purpose.
For how long is this authority in effect?
The law is permanent and was enacted on November 12, 2001.