Miss. Code. tit. 18, pt. 5, ch. 1, app 18-5-1-2
The Lead Agency, named in Part 1 of this Plan, assures (§ 98.15) that:
(1) upon approval, it will have in effect a program that 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 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))
(6) that children receiving services under the CCDF are age-appropriately immunized, and that the health and safety provisions regarding immunizations incorporate (by reference or otherwise) the latest recommendation for childhood immunizations of the State public health agency. (§ 98.41(a)(1))
(7) that CCDF Discretionary funds are used to supplement, not supplant, State general revenue funds for child care assistance for low-income families. (P.L. 109-149)
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) it 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)(E))
(6) procedures are in effect to ensure that child care providers of 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 sub-State 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))
CCDF Regulations 45 CFR § 98.13(b)(2)-(6) require the following certifications.
1. Assurance of compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
2. Certification regarding debarment
3. Definitions for use with certification of debarment
4. HHS certification regarding drug-free workplace requirements
5. Certification of Compliance with the Pro-Children Act of 1994
6. Certification regarding lobbying
These certifications were obtained in the 1997 Plan and need not be collected again if there has been no change in Lead Agency. If the there has been a change in Lead Agency, these certifications must be completed and submitted with the Plan.
Miss. Code. tit. 18, pt. 5, ch. 1, app 18-5-1-2