Section 218-RICR-20-00-4.7 - Authorization of Child Care Services4.7.1Assessment and Scope of Authorized Child CareA. Upon determining that a family is either RI Works CCAP eligible income eligible for the CCAP, the agency representative shall make an assessment of the scope of authorized child care required to meet a family's need for services.1. The authorization for the CCAP child care services is based on an assessment of the following factors related to the need for services: a. The number of hours each day per week that the parent(s) of an eligible child is employed, in an approved education or training program or engaged in a RI Works or TFD approved activity that requires child care services.b. Up to one (1) hour per day of child care may be added to the daily total to cover travel time from the child care location to place of employment/approved activity and return. Additional travel time may be allowed if there is a documented need, related directly to meeting work or employment plan commitments.c. In cases where the parent is requesting the CCAP services under either §§ 4.5 or 4.6 of this Part, the allowable child care expense is based on the work or activity hours supported by paystubs and/or employer verification or verification of training/education activity hours.2. Upon completing the assessment of a family's need for services, the agency representative determines the scope of child care services appropriate for each eligible child in the family. Child care services are then authorized as follows: a. Full-time (FT) child care, for thirty (30) or more hours per week;b. Three-quarter time (3QT) child care from twenty (20) up to twenty-nine (29) hours per week.c. Half-time (HT) child care, from ten (10) up to nineteen (19) hours per week; and d. Quarter time (QT) child care, for less than ten (10) hours per week.4.7.2Limitations of Authorized Child CareA. Authorized child care shall be utilized within the following parameters: 1. The Department authorizes the CCAP child care for a specific period of time that begins on the initial eligibility date and continues for no less than twelve (12) months from the benefit authorization/approval date.2. An eligible child may receive the CCAP authorized services from multiple providers if necessary for a family to meet a need for services due to split shifts or non-traditional employment schedules, but only in instances in which the hours of authorized child care rendered by each provider do not overlap. a. In no case, shall the DHS pay more than one (1) provider for the same hours of child care services authorized for a particular eligible child.3. School Age Children cannot be enrolled for CCAP services from 9:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M when school is in session.4. Payment for the CCAP authorized services shall only be made when rendered by child care providers approved by the DHS who meet the requirements of § 4.12 of this Part.5. Care shall not be authorized for eligible school age children age thirteen (13) and over unless a child has a documented disability that requires the child to have adult supervision.6. An eligible child, enrolled with an approved provider, shall not be absent for more than two (2) consecutive weeks of authorized child care, unless granted a good cause exemption by the DHS as a result of a serious health condition or unusual family circumstance. a. Parents shall make requests for good cause exemptions, in writing, to the DHS.b. Timely notice, including a statement of appeal rights, shall be sent to the family by the DHS explaining the basis for granting or denying the request for an exemption to the two (2) consecutive weeks limit on absences from authorized the CCAP child care. (1) Once the two (2) consecutive weeks limit has been reached, no payment shall be made for periods of authorized child care in which the eligible child is not in attendance unless a good cause exemption has been granted.(2) The Department reserves the right to consider repeated extended absences of an eligible child when making recertifications of the CCAP eligibility.c. Attendance policies may be adjusted in times of public health emergency, weather events, and/or when funding is available to the DHS for this purpose.218 R.I. Code R. 218-RICR-20-00-4.7
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