Code of Massachusetts Regulations
606 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE
Title 606 CMR 10.00 - Child Care Financial Assistance
Section 10.06 - Department of Children and Families (DCF)-related Child Care Program

Universal Citation: 606 MA Code of Regs 606.10

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

Subject to appropriation, DCF may issue referrals for children with active cases at DCF or during a transitional period following their case closure through the DCF-related child care program, as described in 606 CMR 10.06(1) through (9). DCF referrals for child care financial assistance shall be issued in accordance with the regulations, guidelines, and policies established by DCF and in accordance with the general provisions for child care financial assistance described in 606 CMR 10.03, unless otherwise noted.

(1) Authorization. For any child with active cases at DCF, DCF may issue a referral for child care services to the parent.

(2) Referral and Waitlist. DCF or its designee will determine the appropriateness of and authorize all referrals for DCF-related child care, and may either:

(a) refer the parent to a Family Access Administrator authorized by EEC to provide DCF-related child care appropriate to the age and needs of the child; or

(b) enter the child on a waitlist for child care, if there are no appropriate openings available.

(3) Eligibility Criteria. DCF or its designee shall determine eligibility of its clients for DCF-related child care, in accordance with DCF regulations and policy. The child care referral is sufficient documentation that the children listed on the referral are eligible for DCF-related child care. Family Access Administrators shall verify the identity of the parents listed on the child care referral issued by DCF in accordance with 606 CMR 10.03(1)(b). The asset requirements established in 606 CMR 10.04(2)(a)4. shall be waived for all families referred for child care financial assistance through the DCF-related child care program.

(4) Eligibility Period. The DCF-related child care financial assistance will be authorized by the Family Access Administrator for not less than 12 months, and may be renewed by DCF for an additional 12-month period as needed. Unless approved by the DCF social worker and DCF supervisor, referrals for DCF-related child care may not be renewed more than once. Family Access Administrators shall notify families no fewer than two times that their eligibility period is ending. At least one of these notifications shall be in writing and shall be provided no fewer than 60 days prior to the end of the eligibility period.

(a) Transitional Families. DCF may authorize transitional DCF-related child care to continue beyond the closure of the DCF case for no less than 12 months. Parents who seek eligibility following the parent's initial 12-month transitional period may receive priority access to child care financial assistance for one additional, transitional 12-month period, not to exceed 24 months from the date the family's DCF case closed. A parent fee shall not be assessed at the initial 12-month transitional period in accordance with 606 CMR 10.03(2).

(b) Fee Assessment. DCF families with child care referrals who currently have an open case with DCF shall not be charged any parent fees. Transitional child care authorizations shall not be assessed a parent fee during the initial 12-month transitional period in accordance with 606 CMR 10.03(2).

(5) Information Sharing. Subject to the authorization of the parents, DCF or its designee will share information with the child care educator/provider regarding the child's behavior and the family's psychosocial history to assist the child care educator/provider in meeting the needs of the child and family.

(6) Enrollment. The parents shall complete the enrollment process in accordance with the child care educator/provider's policies and procedures.

(7) Denial or Termination of DCF-related Child Care. DCF-related child care will continue until the end of the authorization period under 606 CMR 10.06(4). DCF-related child care will not be renewed at the reauthorization period once the protective case has closed, or when DCF has determined that services are no longer appropriate, whichever first occurs. Parents wishing to appeal the termination or denial of DCF-related child care may do so through the DCF Fair Hearing Process, in accordance with DCF policy and 110 CMR 10.00: Fair Hearings and Grievances.

(8) Continuity of Care. Parent(s) seeking to continue eligibility upon the end of the DCF-related child care services may continue to receive child care financial assistance through the income eligible child care program provided that the family meets the requirements set forth in 606 CMR 10.03 and 10.04.

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