Child Care Assistance Program: “Hot Topics” Child Care for MFIP/DWP Clients MFWCAA 2008

Authorized Hours Are the maximum number of hours that a child is in care during the parent’s authorized activity. The maximum that can be authorized is 120 hours per child in a two week period.

Scheduled Hours Are specific days/hours a child will attend child care as required by the parent’s activity, child’s need for care and provider’s availability.

Child Care Can Be Authorized (MFIP/DWP) According to the employment plan, or For appeals, hearings, assessments, or orientations, or Activities required by MS119B.

MFIP Employment Plan (EP) Process ES worker develops the EP with the client ES worker sends CCAP worker information needed to authorize child care ES worker may send EP information via status update or transmittal form CCAP worker uses the EP as verification of activities

Employment Plans, cont. CCAP/ES Policy: Signed EP’s are considered “approved”. Do not end date. Review dates are not end dates.

Employment Plan Changes ES worker notifies CCAP worker of changes to the number of hours needed When reported timely – no overpayment When not reported timely – possible overpayment

EP Changes Resulting in Sanction ES worker should consider: Is client working toward curing the sanction? If yes, child care assistance should remain in place

EP Changes Resulting in Sanction, cont. 1 st notice (optional) request for compliance w/plan or plan revision 2 nd notice – Notice of Intent to Sanction 3 rd notice – Notice of Adverse Action – informs that sanction is effective on the first day of the month following the 10 day notice period

EP Changes Resulting in Sanction, cont. If client not working toward preventing sanction: CCAP ends after the effective date of the sanction + 15 day notice No overpayment during this period, unless fraud

EP Changes Resulting in Sanction, cont. If participant chooses to start participating to lift the sanction child care may be needed and reauthorized.

Overpayments When the parent reports timely: And the county is unable to make the change in a timely manner, there may be an overpayment due to agency error. The overpayment would be calculated allowing for a notice period.

Overpayments, cont. When the family does not report changes timely: There may be an overpayment. Calculate the overpayment beginning on the date the change occurred.

Recovery Methods-Overpayments The recovery method for participant families and current CCAP providers is recoupment. The recovery method for former participants or CCAP providers is collection.

Activities Allowed Without a Plan Employment of 20 hours or more and earning the applicable minimum wage Job search up to 240 hours per calendar year

Activities Allowed Without a Plan, cont. FT students can receive CCAP for employment if employed a minimum of 10 hours per week, applicable minimum wage Verify student’s status

CCAP Workers and ES Workers Must work together in ways that support clients by: Preventing delays in authorizations Preventing gaps in authorizations Authorizing the most care possible Clustering activities

Communicate County should develop a process to support communication between ES and CCAP.

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