Title 55--PUBLIC WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE [55 PA. CODE CH. 3040] Subsidized Child Day Care Number of Days of Enrollment for Service [26 Pa.B. 3134] Purpose
The purpose of this statement of policy is to offer direction on the number of days per week that subsidized child day care may be made available to a child when a caretaker is employed or participating in training for fewer than 5 days per week.
Background
The regulation for the subsidized child care program, § 3040.34(1) (relating to documentation of nonfinancial eligibility), states that the service shall be needed at least 3 days which include at least 20 hours per week to be eligible for the subsidized child day care program. Furthermore, § 3040.34(2) permits an eligible child to receive subsidized child day care services for 5 days, even if service is needed for 3 or 4 days per week.
In many counties, the funding available for the subsidized child day care program is not sufficient to meet the needs of those families who have been determined eligible for the program. Currently, more than 6,455 children Statewide are on a waiting list until funding becomes available.
Discussion
The Department of Public Welfare (Department) has received information that many eligible families are engaged in employment or training activities for fewer than 5 days per week, meeting only the minimum requirement of 3 days per week; see § 3040.34(1). Many eligibility agents will enroll children of these families in the subsidized child day care program for the full 5 days of service per week, regardless of the caretaker's actual employment or training schedule.
The goal of subsidized child day care service is to enable the income-eligible caretaker to be employed or to receiving training. The Department needs to provide subsidized child day care service to as many children as possible. If a caretaker's employment or training schedule routinely requires participation for only 3 or 4 days in a week, the eligibility agent should take into consideration the caretaker's actual need for subsidized child day care. The eligibility agent is obligated to provide subsidized child day care services only when the caretaker needs it. If there are large numbers of families waiting for service, the eligibility agent is not obligated to subsidize the cost of child day care services on days that the caretaker is not employed or in training and is available to care for his child.
If a caretaker wants his child to attend the child day care service site on days that the Department is not participating in the cost of child day care, the caretaker shall assume the responsibility of the child care cost for that day.
Effective Date
This statement of policy is effective upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Contact Person
Comments and questions regarding this statement of policy should be directed to: Chris Wolf, Office of Children, Youth and Families, 4th Floor, Bertolino Building, 1401 N. 7th Street, P. O. Box 2675, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675.
FEATHER O. HOUSTOUN,
SecretaryFiscal Note: 14-BUL-43. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption. This statement of policy announces that the Department will not provide subsidized day care to caretakers on days in which the caretaker is not employed or enrolled in training courses. The cost of child care to those who need fewer than 5 days per week will be reduced and the savings could be used for additional children.
Annex A TITLE 55. PUBLIC WELFARE PART V. CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES MANUAL Subpart B. ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES CHAPTER 3040. SUBSIDIZED CHILD DAY CARE ELIGIBILITY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS § 3040.34a. Documentation of nonfinancial eligibility--statement of policy.
A caretaker is not entitled to receive subsidized child day care on days which the caretaker is not employed or enrolled in a training program.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 96-1091. Filed for public inspection July 5, 1996, 9:00 a.m.]
