Title 55--PUBLIC WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE [55 PA. CODE CH. 3040] Waiver: Out-of-Home Care [27 Pa.B. 4114] The purpose of this statement of policy is to announce the expansion of the child day care provider options for families who receive a subsidy for child day care service.
Discussion
The regulation for the subsidized child day care program provides criteria which shall be met by a family to participate in the subsidized child day care program. Currently, § 3040.2(a) (relating to definition of service) limits child day care service to ''out-of-home'' care provided for part of the 24-hour day. The Child Care Works regulations which will be proposed by the Department of Public Welfare (Department) will permit the Department to provide subsidies for in-home care.
The Federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) (42 U.S.C.A. §§ 9859--9858q), requires the Department to provide subsidies to families for whom child day care service is provided in the child's home to continue to receive Federal funding. In response to this requirement, the Department will waive the ''out-of-home'' condition of § 3040.2(a) to allow the full range of parent choice envisioned by the CCDBG. The Department will provide subsidies for in-home care pending adoption of the Child Care Works regulations to give families receiving subsidies the same choices in child day care providers as families who are not receiving subsidies.
Policy
Providing a subsidy to families who choose in-home care is the Department's effort to meet Federal requirements and expand the child day care options available to families receiving a subsidy. The Department will waive the portion of § 3040.2(a) which requires that child day care service be ''out-of-home'' care, until the provision is amended by a change in regulation. A regulation package which addresses this change is currently undergoing the regulatory review process. The policy will allow the Department to participate in the funding of child day care cost if a caretaker chooses to have a child day care provider come into the child's home to care for the subsidy-eligible child.
Contact Person
Comments and questions regarding this statement of policy should be directed to: Bureau of Child Day Care Services, Jolene Gregor (717) 787-1550, 4th Floor Bertolino Building, 1401 North 7th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675.
Effective Date
This statement of policy will take effect September 2, 1997.
FEATHER O. HOUSTOUN,
Secretary(Editor's Note: The regulations of the Department, 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3040, are amended by adding § 3040.2a to read as set forth in Annex A.)
Fiscal Note: 14-BUL-052. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
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 INTRODUCTION § 3040.2a. Definition of service--statement of policy.
The Department will waive the requirement that child day care service is out-of-home care provided for part of the 24-hour day. The Department will participate in the funding of child day care cost when a caretaker chooses to have a child day care provider come into his home to care for the subsidy-eligible child.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 97-1304. Filed for public inspection August 15, 1997, 9:00 a.m.]
