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CCDF State and Territories Plan Preprint

Index: ACYF-PI-CC-97-02 | Preprint | Assurance of Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 | Certification Regarding Debarment | Definitions for Use with the Certification of Debarment| HHS Certification regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements | Certification regarding Lobbying and Certification of Compliance with the Pro-Children Act of 1994.

 

CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND
 PLAN FOR      
FOR THE PERIOD 10/1/97 -- 9/30/99

 

This Plan describes the program that the Lead Agency will operate on 10/1/97. As provided for in the applicable statutes and regulations, the Lead Agency has the flexibility to modify this program at any time, including changing the options selected or described herein.

 

The official text of the applicable laws and regulations govern, and the Lead Agency acknowledges its responsibility to adhere to them regardless of the fact that, for purposes of simplicity and clarity, the specific provisions printed herein are sometimes paraphrases of, or excerpts and incomplete quotations from, the full text.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 2.1 - Consultation

Section 2.2 - Coordination of Services

Section 2.3 - Public Hearing Process

Section 2.4 - Public-Private Partnerships

Section 3.1 - Description of Child Care Services

Section 3.2 - Payment Rates for Child Care

Section 3.3 - Eligibility Criteria for Child Care

Section 3.4 - Priority Rules for Children

Section 3.5 - Sliding Fee Scale for Child Care

Section 3.6 - The Certificate Payment System

 

(50 States & District of Columbia only)

Section 6.1 - Health and Safety Requirements for Center-based providers

Section 6.2 - Health and Safety Requirements for Group Home providers

Section 6.3 - Health and Safety Requirements for Family providers

Section 6.4 - Health and Safety Requirements for In-Home providers

Section 6.5 - Exemptions to Health and Safety Requirements

Section 6.6 - Enforcement of Health and Safety Requirements

 

AMENDMENTS LOG

Child Care And Development Services Plan

For the period: 10/1/97 -- 9/30/99

Section Amended	Effective/ Proposed Effective Date	Date Submitted to ACF	Date Approved by ACF

 

Instructions:

1. Lead Agency completes the first 3 columns and sends a photocopy of this Log (showing the latest amendment sent to ACF) and the amended section(s) to the ACF Regional contact. A copy of the Log, showing the latest amendment pending in ACF, is retained in the Lead Agency's Plan.
2. ACF completes column 4 and returns a photocopy of the Log to the grantee.
3. The Lead Agency replaces this page in the Plan with the copy of the Log received from ACF showing the approval date.

Note: This process depends on repeated subsequent use of the same Log page over the life of the Plan. At any time the Log should reflect all amendments, both approved and pending in ACF. The Lead Agency is advised to retain those "old" plan pages that are superseded by amendments in a separate appendix to its Plan.

PART 1 -- ADMINISTRATION

NAME OF Lead Agency:          

The agency shown above has been designated by the Chief Executive Officer of the State (or Territory), to represent the State (or Territory) as the Lead Agency. The Lead Agency agrees to administer the program in accordance with applicable Federal laws, regulations and in accordance with the provisions of this Plan, including the assurances and certifications appended hereto. (658D, 658E)

1.1)

The Lead Agency estimates that the following amounts will be available for child care services and related activities during the 1-year period: October 1, 1997 through September 30, 1998.

-Federal Child Care & Development Fund $         .

-State Maintenance of Effort and Matching funds $         .

1.2)

The Lead Agency estimates that the following amount (or percentage) of the CCDF will be used to administer the program: $         .

1.3)

Will the Lead Agency directly administer and implement all programs funded under the Child Care and Development Fund? (658D(b)(1)(A) 658E(c)(3)(C)?

(    ) Yes. Go to Part 2.

(    ) No, the following entity(ies) is/are responsible to administer/implement all or a part of the:

-- provision of child care services (including the payment to child care providers)

 

 

-- activities to improve the quality of child care described in Part 5 of this Plan

 

1.4)

Is any entity named in response to 1.3 a non-governmental entity?

(    ) Yes.

(    ) No.

 

1.5)

Describe:
• the operational aspects of administering and implementing the program through other agencies, and
• how the Lead Agency will maintain overall control of the program.

 

 

PART 2 -- DEVELOPING THE CHILD CARE PROGRAM

Section 2.1 - Consultation:

Describe the consultations the Lead Agency held in developing this Plan. At a minimum, the description must state what representatives of local governments (including tribal organizations when such organizations exist within the boundaries of the State) were consulted. (658D(b)(2))

 

 

Section 2.2 - Coordination of Services:

Describe how the Lead Agency is coordinating the delivery of CCDF-funded child care services with other Federal, State, tribal (if applicable), and local child care, early childhood development programs, and before- and after-school care services. (658D(b)(1)(D))

 

 

Section 2.3 - Public Hearing Process:

Describe the Statewide public hearing process held to provide the public an opportunity to comment on the provision of child care services under this Plan. At a minimum, the description must include the date(s) of the hearing(s), how and when the public was notified Statewide of the hearing(s), and the hearing site(s). (658D(b)(1)(C))

 

 

Section 2.4 - Public-Private Partnerships:

Describe the activities, including planned activities, to encourage public-private partnerships which promote private-sector involvement in meeting child care needs.

 

PART 3 -- CHILD CARE SERVICES OFFERED

 

Section 3.1 - Description of Child Care Services:

REMINDER: Certificates must permit parents to choose from a variety of child care categories including center-based care, group home care, family child care and in-home care. 45 CFR 98.30(f).

3.1.1)

In addition to offering certificates, does the Lead Agency have grants or contracts for child care slots?

(   ) No.

(   ) Yes, and the following describes the types of child care services and the range of providers that will be available through grants or contracts: (658A(b)(1), 658P(5)&(6)),

 

 

3.1.2)

The Lead Agency must allow for in-home care, but may limit in-home care to only those situations in which payment for such care is reasonably similar to payments for other categories of care. (98.16(a)(7)(ii), 98.30(e)(1)(iv)) Does the Lead Agency limit the use of in-home care in this way?

(   ) No.

(    ) Yes.

 

 

3.1.3)

Are all of the child care services described in 3.1.1 above (including certificates) offered throughout the entire service area? (658E(a))

(   ) Yes

(    ) No, and the following are the localities (political subdivisions) in which these services are not offered:

 

Section 3.2 - Payment Rates for the Provision of Child Care:

The Statute requires the Lead Agency to establish payment rates for child care services that ensure eligible children equal access to comparable care (658E(c)(4)) and these rates are provided as Attachment         .

The following is a summary of the facts relied on by the State to determine that the attached rates are sufficient to ensure equal access to comparable child care services provided to children whose parents are not eligible to receive child care assistance under the CCDF and other governmental programs, as well as a summary of those facts:

 

 

Section 3.3 - Eligibility Criteria for Child Care:

By statute, all eligible children must be under the age of 13 and reside with a family whose income does not exceed 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) for a family of the same size and whose parent(s) are working or attending a job training or educational program or who receive or need to receive protective services. (658E(c)(3)(B), 658P(4)

3.3.1)

Complete columns (a) & (b) of the matrix below. In addition, complete Column (c) ONLY IF the Lead Agency is using income eligibility limits lower than 85% of the SMI).

Family Size	(a) 85% of State Median Income (SMI) ($/month)	(b) Very Low Income ($/month)	(c) Income Level, lower than 85% SMI, if used to limit eligibility ($/month)
1
2
3
4
5

3.3.2)

Has the Lead Agency established additional eligibility criteria, for example different income limits in one part of the State? (658E(c)(3)(B))

(    ) No

(    ) Yes, and the additional eligibility criteria are: (Terms must be defined in Appendix 2)

 

3.3.3)

Has the Lead Agency elected to waive, on a case-by-case basis, the fee and income eligibility requirements for cases in which children receive, or need to receive, protective services, as defined in Appendix 2? (658P(4), 658E(c)(3)(B))

(   ) Not Applicable, CCDF-funded child care is not provided in cases in which children receive, or need to receive, protective services.

(    ) No

(    ) Yes

 

3.3.4)

Does the Lead Agency allow child care for children age 13 and above who are physically and/or mentally incapable of self-care? (Physical and mental incapacity must then be defined in Appendix 2.) (658P(4), 658E(c)(3)(B), 98.20(a)(1)(ii))

(    ) No

(    ) Yes, and the upper age is        .

 

3.3.5)

Does the Lead Agency allow child care for children age 13 and above who are under court supervision? (658P(4), 658E(c)(3)(B))

(    ) No

(    ) Yes, and the upper age is        .

 

 

Section 3.4 Priority Rules for Children:

3.4.1)

The Lead Agency must give priority for child care services to children:
• with special needs (as defined in Appendix 2).
• of families with very low incomes, as defined in the table at section 3.3.1

In addition to prioritizing services for these children does the Lead Agency have any additional priority rules or categories? (658E(c)(3)(B))

(    ) No

(    ) Yes, and the following are the additional priority rules or categories. (Terms must be defined in Appendix 2)

 

 

3.4.2)

Demonstrate the manner in which the State will meet the specific child care needs of families who are receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, families who are attempting through work activities to transition off of such assistance program, and families that are at risk of becoming dependent on such assistance program. (658E(c)(2)(H), Section 418(b)(2) of the Social Security Act)

Section 3.5 - Sliding Fee Scale for Child Care Services:

3.5.1)

A sliding fee scale, which is used to determine each family's contribution to the cost of child care, must vary based on income and the size of the family. A copy of this sliding fee scale for child care services is provided as Attachment         .

Will the Lead Agency use additional factors to determine each family's contribution to the cost of child care? (658E(c)(3)(B))

(   ) No.

(    ) Yes, and the following describes those additional factors, including how they will be used to determine the family's contribution:

 

 

3.5.2)

Is the same sliding fee scale provided in the attachment in response to question 3.5.1 above in use in all parts of the State? (658E(c)(3)(B)

(    ) Yes

(    ) No, and other scale(s) are provided as

Attachment         .

3.5.3)

The Lead Agency may waive contributions from families whose incomes are at or below the poverty level for a family of the same size. (98.42(c)) The poverty level used by the Lead Agency for a family of 3 is: $         .

 

The Lead Agency must elect ONE of these options:

 

(   ) ALL families with income at or below the poverty level for a family of the same size ARE NOT required to pay a fee.

(    ) ALL families, including those with incomes at or below the poverty level for families of the same size, ARE required to pay a fee.

(    ) SOME families with income at or below the poverty level for a family of the same size ARE NOT required to pay a fee. A description of these families is:

 

Section 3.6 - Certificate Payment System:

A child care certificate means a certificate, check, or other disbursement that is issued by the Lead Agency directly to a parent who may use it only to pay for child care services from a variety of providers (including center-based, group home, family and in-home child care), or, if required, as a deposit for services. (658E(c)(2)(A)(iii)), 658P(2).

Describe the overall child care certificate payment process, including, at a minimum:

3.6.1)

A description of the form of the certificate:

 

 

3.6.2)

A description of how the certificate program permits parents to choose from a variety of child care settings by explaining how a parent moves from receipt of the certificate to choice of care;

 

 

3.6.3)

If the Lead Agency is also providing child care services through grants and contracts, explain how it ensures that parents offered child care services are given the option of receiving a child care certificate.

 

 

PART 4 - Processes with Parents

4.1)

Describe the process involved for a family to apply to receive child care services (658E(c)(D), (658D(b)(1)(A), (658E(c)(3)(B) The description must include:
• How parents are informed of the availability of child care services and of available child care options;
• Where/how applications are made; and
• Who makes the eligibility determination.

   

   

4.2)

Provide a detailed description of how the Lead Agency maintains a record of substantiated parental complaints and how it makes the information regarding such parental complaints available to the public on request. (658E(c)(2)(C))

 

 

4.3)

Provide a detailed description of the procedures in effect in the State for affording parents unlimited access to their children whenever their children are in the care of a provider who receives CCDF funds. (658E(c)(2)(B))

 

 

PART 5 - ACTIVITIES & SERVICES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CHILD CARE

5.1)

The law requires that not less than 4% of the CCDF be used for quality activities. The Lead Agency estimates that the following amount (or percentage) will be used for the quality activities described below: (658G)
$       

 

 

5.2)

Check either "Yes" or "No" for each listed activity indicating which of the following activities the Lead Agency will undertake to improve the availability and quality of child care. (658G, 658E(c)(3)(B))

Yes   No

              comprehensive consumer education;

             resource and referral programs;

             grants or loans to providers to assist in meeting State and local standards;

             monitoring of compliance with licensing and regulatory requirements;

             training and technical assistance;

             compensation for child care providers;

             other quality activities that increase parental choice, and improve the quality and availability of child care listed below:

 

 

5.3)

Describe each activity that is checked "Yes" above.

 

 

PART 6 - Health and Safety Requirements for Providers

(ONLY THE 50 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COMPLETE PART 6. ONLY TERRITORIES COMPLETE PART 7.)

The National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care (NRCHSCC) of DHHH's Maternal and Child Health Bureau supports a comprehensive, current on-line listing of the licensing and regulatory requirements for child care in the 50 States and the District of Columbia. In lieu of requiring a State Lead Agency to provide information that is already publicly available, ACF accepts this compilation as accurately reflecting the States' licensing requirements. The listing, which is maintained by the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, is available on the World Wide Web at: http://nrc.uchsc.edu/

Section 6.1 - Health and Safety Requirements for Center-Based Providers (658E(c)(2)(F))

6.1.1)

Are all center-based providers paid with CCDF funds subject to licensing under State law which is reflected in the NRCHSCC's compilation referenced above? If:

- YES, check here and go to Section 6.2        .

- NO, go to question 6.1.2

6.1.2)

For that center-based care which is NOT licensed, and therefore not reflected in NRCHSCC's compilation, the following health and safety requirements apply to child care services provided under the CCDF for:
• The prevention and control of infectious disease (including immunizations)

   

   

• Building and physical premises safety

   

   

• Health and safety training

   

Section 6.2 - Health and Safety Requirements for Group Home Providers (658E(c)(2)(F))

6.2.1)

Are all group home providers paid with CCDF funds subject to licensing under State law which is reflected in the NRCHSCC's compilation referenced above? If:

- YES, check here and go to Section 6.3              .

- NO, go to question 6.2.2

6.2.2)

For that group home care which is NOT licensed, and therefore not reflected in NRCHSCC's compilation, the following health and safety requirements apply to child care services provided under the CCDF for:
• The prevention and control of infectious disease (including immunizations)

   

   

• Building and physical premises safety

   

   

• Health and safety training

   

   

Section 6.3 - Health and Safety Requirements for Family Providers (658E(c)(2)(F))

6.3.1)

Are all family home child care providers paid with CCDF funds subject to licensing under State law which is reflected in the NRCHSCC's compilation referenced above? If:

- YES, check here and go to Section 6.4               .

- NO, go to question 6.3.2

6.3.2) ]

For that family home care which is NOT licensed, and therefore not reflected in NRCHSCC's compilation, the following health and safety requirements apply to child care services provided under the CCDF for:
• The prevention and control of infectious disease (including immunizations)

   

   

• Building and physical premises safety

   

   

• Health and safety training

   

   

Section 6.4 - Health and Safety Requirements for In-Home Providers (658E(c)(2)(F))

6.4.1)

Are all in-home child care providers paid with CCDF funds subject to licensing under State law which is reflected in the NRCHSCC's compilation referenced above? If:

- YES, check here and go to Section 6.5               .

- NO, go to question 6.4.2

6.4.2)

For that in-home care which is NOT licensed, and therefore not reflected in NRCHSCC's compilation, the following health and safety requirements apply to child care services provided under the CCDF for:
• The prevention and control of infectious disease (including immunizations)

   

   

• Building and physical premises safety

   

   

• Health and safety training

   

   

Section 6.5 - Exemptions to Health and Safety Requirements

At State option, the following relatives; grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, or siblings who live in a separate residence from the child in care, may be exempted from health and safety requirements (658P(5)(B), 98.41(g)). Indicate the Lead Agency policy regarding these relative providers:

(    ) All relative providers are subject to the same requirements as described in sections 6.1 - 6.4 above, as appropriate; there are no exemptions for relatives or different requirements for them.

(     ) All relative providers are exempt from all health and safety requirements.

(     ) Some or all relative providers are subject to different health and safety requirements from those described in sections 6.1 - 6.4. The following describes those different requirements and identifies which relatives they apply to:

 

 

Section 6.6 - Enforcement of State Licensing Requirements

The Lead Agency provides access to a detailed description of the licensing requirements applicable to child care services provided in the State. The following is a description of how such licensing requirements are effectively enforced: (658E(c)(2)(E))

PART 7 - HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN THE TERRITORIES

Section 7.1 - Health and Safety Requirements for Center-Based Providers in the Territories (658E(c)(2)(F))

For all center-based care the following health and safety requirements apply to child care services provided under the CCDF for:

• The prevention and control of infectious disease (including immunizations)

   

   

• Building and physical premises safety

   

   

• Health and safety training

   

Section 7.2 - Health and Safety Requirements for Group Home Providers in the Territories (658E(c)(2)(F))

For all group home care the following health and safety requirements apply to child care services provided under the CCDF for:

• The prevention and control of infectious disease (including immunizations)

   

   

• Building and physical premises safety

   

   

• Health and safety training

   

   

Section 7.3 - Health and Safety Requirements for Family Providers in the Territories (658E(c)(2)(F))

For all family child care the following health and safety requirements apply to child care services provided under the CCDF for:

• The prevention and control of infectious disease (including immunizations)

   

   

• Building and physical premises safety

   

   

• Health and safety training

   

   

Section 7.4 - Health and Safety Requirements for In-Home Providers in the Territories (658E(c)(2)(F))

For all in-home care the following health and safety requirements apply to child care services provided under the CCDF for:

• The prevention and control of infectious disease (including immunizations)

   

   

• Building and physical premises safety

   

   

• Health and safety training

   

   

Section 7.5 - Exemptions to Territorial Health and Safety Requirements

At Lead Agency option, the following relatives; grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, or siblings who live in a separate residence from the child in care, may be exempted from health and safety requirements (658P(5)(B), 98.41(g)). Indicate the Lead Agency policy regarding these relative providers:

(    ) All relative providers are subject to the same requirements as described in sections 7.1 - 7.4 above, as appropriate; there are no exemptions for relatives or different requirements for them.

(     ) All relative providers are exempt from all health and safety requirements.

(     ) Some or all relative providers are subject to different health and safety requirements from those described in sections 7.1 - 7.4 and the following describes those different requirements and which relatives they apply to):

 

 

Section 7.6 - Enforcement of Licensing Requirements

The following is a description of how the licensing requirements applicable to child care services provided in the territory are effectively enforced: (658E(c)(2)(E))

 

 

APPENDIX 1 -- PROGRAM ASSURANCES AND CERTIFICATIONS

The Lead Agency, named in Part 1 of this Plan, assures that:

1. upon approval, it will have in effect a program which complies with the provisions of the Plan printed herein, and is administered in accordance with the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 as amended, Section 418 of the Social Security Act, and all other applicable Federal laws and regulations. (658D(b), 658E(a))
2. the parent(s) of each eligible child within the State who receives or is offered child care services for which financial assistance is provided is given the option either to enroll such child with a child care provider that has a grant or contract for the provision of the service; or to receive a child care certificate. (658E(c)(2)(A)(i))
3. in cases in which the parent(s) elects to enroll the child with a provider that has a grant or contract with the Lead Agency, the child will be enrolled with the eligible provider selected by the parent to the maximum extent practicable. (658E(c)(2)(A)(ii))
4. the child care certificate offered to parents shall be of a value commensurate with the subsidy value of child care services provided under a grant or contract. (658E(c)(2)(A)(iii)
5. with respect to State and local regulatory requirements, health and safety requirements, payment rates, and registration requirements, State or local rules, procedures or other requirements promulgated for the purpose of the Child Care and Development Fund will not significantly restrict parental choice from among categories of care or types of providers. (658E(c)(2)(A), 98.15(p), 98.30(g), 98.40(b)(2), 98.41(b), 98.43(c), 98.45(d)).

The Lead Agency also certifies that:

1. it has procedures in place to ensure that providers of child care services for which assistance is provided under the Child Care and Development Fund afford parents unlimited access to their children and to the providers caring for their children during the normal hours of operations and whenever such children are in the care of such providers. (658E(c)(2)(B))
2. t maintains a record of substantiated parental complaints and makes information regarding such complaints available to the public on request. (658E(c)(2)(C))
3. it will collect and disseminate to parents of eligible children and the general public, consumer education information that will promote informed child care choices. (658E(c)(2)(D))
4. it has in effect licensing requirements applicable to child care services provided in the State. (658E(c)(2)(E))
5. there are in effect within the State (or other area served by the Lead Agency), under State or local law, requirements designed to protect the health and safety of children; these requirements are applicable to child care providers that provide services for which assistance is made available under the Child Care and Development Fund. (658E(c)(2)(F))
6. procedures are in effect to ensure that child care providers that provide services for which assistance is provided under the Child Care and Development Fund comply with all applicable State or local health and safety requirements. (658E(c)(2)(G))
7. payment rates under the Child Care and Development Fund for the provision of child care services are sufficient to ensure equal access for eligible children to comparable child care services in the State or substate area that are provided to children whose parents are not eligible to receive assistance under this program or under any other Federal or State child care assistance programs. (658E(c)(4)(A))

APPENDIX 2 - ELIGIBILITY AND PRIORITY TERMINOLOGY:

For purposes of determining eligibility and priority for CCDF-funded child care services, lead agencies must define the following terms. (658P, 658E(c)(3)(B))

1. attending (a job training or educational program) -

    

    

2. in loco parentis -

    

    

3. job training and educational program -

    

    

4. physical or mental incapacity (if the Lead Agency provides such services to children age 13 and older.

    

    

5. protective services -

    

    

6. residing with -

    

    

    

7. special needs child -

    

    

8. working -

    

    

9. Additional terminology related to conditions of eligibility or priority established by the Lead Agency:

    

    

   APPENDIX 3 -- ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

   [The additional certifications are the separate documents identified in the paragraph describing ACYF-PI-CC-97-02 on the index page for this collection.]

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