Applications like this should be sent together, or include a cover letter that identifies the collaboration members, so that these applications can be reviewed together. Yes, child care expenditures for crisis or respite child care can be used as match if the expenditure is non-federal dollars which are not being used to match federal funds. Child care to allow parents to undergo drug abuse or alcohol treatment. Documentation of the need for protective services should be kept by the agencies. Local agencies can waive income requirements and copays under federal regulations.
Federal regulations require detailed reporting expenditures on direct service child care.
It is true that foster care or other out of home care expenditures cannot be used for match. There is already a fully-funded state subsidy program for that purpose. For instance, providing child care as respite for families with special needs children, child care while parents are in counseling or treatment due to abuse and neglect problems, AODA treatment, other crisis, etc. We believe those goals and purposes are spelled out in Sec. 98.1, 98.50, and 98.51.