Child Care Assistance Program Rules and Regulations Due to COVID-19
218-RICR-20-00-8 INACTIVE RULE EMERGENCY RULE
8.1 Authority and Purpose
8.1.1 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
A. Prior to the implementation of any new procedure under this regulation, the Director of the Department of Human Services shall seek federal waivers or approval, when required, from the Federal agencies that provide funding and oversight for the programs the Department of Human Services administers. The Director shall also consider any guidance by these Federal agencies, when available, when implementing new procedures.
8.2 Income Eligibility
8.2.1 General Requirements and Criteria (see 218-RICR-20-00-4 §4.6.1)
A. Family Cost Sharing Requirement
1. In response to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), as determined by the Department of Human Services, families may not be required to pay their co-share amount .
2. DHS may supplement the family co-share amounts for CCAP providers during the crisis.
8.3 Exceptions to Eligibility Requirements (see 218-RICR-20-00-4 §4.6.4)
A. Non-Temporary Change in Status
In response to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) , the three (3) month grace period may be extended, based on the needs of the individual family, even if there has been no entry into employment, an approved education program, or a training program.
8.4 Limitations of Authorized Child Care (see 218-RICR-20-00-4 §4.8.2)
A. Absence Limitation
In response to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Department of Human Services has temporarily suspended the compliance requirements of limiting the absence of children within a month of child care. During the COVID-19 crisis, eligible children who are absent more than five (5) days per month may be granted a good cause exemption. Parents are not required to request the good cause exemption during the COVID-19 crisis.
B. School Hour Limitation
In response to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), based on the needs of the family and the closure of school buildings, full time child care services may be authorized for school age children during hours when school is normally in session. School hours are defined as from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
8.5 CCAP Payments to Approved Providers (see 218-RICR-20-00-4 §4.12.7)
A. In response to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19, DHS will reimburse providers based on enrollment, not attendance.
B. When a child is enrolled with a licensed provider, the DHS will continue to make payments for a child who has exceeded the five (5) day absence in a month of CCAP authorized child care services requirements. This change will continue to preserve the placement of the child with the provider.
| Title | 218 | Department of Human Services |
| Chapter | 20 | Individual and Family Support Programs |
| Subchapter | 00 | N/A |
| Part | 8 | Child Care Assistance Program Rules and Regulations Due to COVID-19 |
| Type of Filing | Amendment |
| Regulation Status | Inactive |
| Effective | 08/31/2021 to 02/27/2022 |
Regulation Authority:
R.I. Gen. Laws § 20-02
Purpose and Reason:
Waiving some requirements during the COVID-19 Crisis, to protect the benefits of DHS recipients and child care providers
The following Emergency Child Care Assistance Program Rules are being amended:
- Waiving family copays
- Extension of the three month grace period
- Suspension of the compliance requirements of limiting the absence of children within a month of child care.
- Provided flexibilities for care for school aged children during school hours
- Payment to Providers based on enrollment, not attendancde
Brief statement of Reason for Finding Imminent Peril:
The Department will waive some requirements for access to Child Care Assistance Program for applicants and recipients during the COVID-19 crisis to ensure low income working families has continued access to safe child care.
