Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 17 - Division of Early Childhood Care and Development Child Care Payment Program Policy Manual › Chapter 2 - Definitions › Rule 18-17-2.1 - Definitions

Current through June 25, 2024
The Definitions below will assist both Parents and Providers
				  on the various terms used for CCPP:
A.
				Absent Day
Any day in which a child does not attend the child care
				  center/setting for the scheduled hours he/she is enrolled.
B. Abused Child
A child whose parent, guardian, custodian, or any person
				  responsible for the care or support, whether legally obligated to do so or not,
				  has caused or allowed to be caused, upon the child, sexual abuse, sexual
				  exploitation, emotional abuse, mental injury, nonaccidental physical injury or
				  other maltreatment. An "abused child" also means a child who is or has been
				  trafficked within the meaning of the Mississippi Human Trafficking Act by any
				  person, without regard to the relationship of the person to the child.
C. Actual Classroom Hours
The time actually spent in a classroom setting.
D. Administrative Agency Appeal
				Hearing
An informal proceeding held before an impartial Mississippi
				  Department of Human Services (MDHS) administrative hearing officer, in which an
				  applicant or recipient appeals an adverse agency action.
E. Administrative Disqualification Hearing
A hearing initiated by MDHS whenever there is documented
				  evidence to substantiate that a claimant of a state or federal program
				  committed an act that constitutes a violation of said regulations or any
				  related state statute, with the exception of the Supplemental Nutrition
				  Assistance Program (SNAP).
F. Adult
A person who is age eighteen (18) years or older.
G. Agency Error (AE)
Occurs when MDHS staff incorrectly takes action or fails to
				  take action that causes an improper payment.
H. Authorized Representative
An individual who, via written authorization by the parent or
				  legal guardian, may speak or act on the parent's behalf. Written authorization
				  must come to the Division of Early Childhood Care & Development (DECCD)
				  directly from the parent or legal guardian and be maintained in the parent or
				  legal guardian's case file in the Child Care Payment System (CCPS).
I. Care Giver
An individual at least eighteen (18) years of age with at
				  least a high school diploma or equivalent GED who provides direct child care,
				  supervision, and guidance to an eligible child.
J. CCPP-Approved Provider
A child care facility or individual that has been determined
				  eligible by DECCD through meeting minimum requirements to participate in the
				  Child Care Payment Program (CCPP).
K. Center Based Provider
A non-residential facility that is licensed by the
				  Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) to regularly provide shelter and
				  personal care for six (6) or more children who are not related to the operator
				  within the third degree computed according to the civil law and who receive
				  care for any part of a 24-hour day (Miss. Code §
										43-20-5).
L. Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
A federally funded program designed to improve the quality of
				  child care and provide access to child care services for eligible low-income
				  families so they can work or attend an education or job training program
				  provided under the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG).
M. Child Care Certificate
Issued by DECCD directly to the parent of a child who has
				  been determined eligible for CCDF funds. A child care certificate (voucher) is
				  assistance to the parent that allows a CCPP approved provider to claim CCPP
				  reimbursement for child care services delivered. Child Care Certificates are
				  only valid when care is provided by the approved provider at the approved
				  location indicated on the certificate.
N. Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG)
The primary source of the United States federal funding for
				  child care subsidies for low- income working families and funds to improve
				  child care quality.
O. Child
				Care Payment Ledger
The method used in the Child Care Payment System (CCPS) for
				  providers to record attendance of enrolled children. Providers are paid based
				  on the claims submitted on the payment ledger.
P. Child Care Payment Program (CCPP)
Child Care Payment Program is the name Mississippi uses for
				  the CCDF program which is administered by MDHS to provide child care payment
				  assistance to eligible low-income families through the CCDF.
Q. Child Care Payment System (CCPS)
This system used by DECCD staff to process parent
				  applications and to determine eligibility. The system is also used by parents
				  to submit applications, updates, and renewals and by providers to submit
				  payment ledgers, updates and renewals.
R. Child Care Services
Care provided for a fee by a child care provider to an
				  eligible child or children in the parent or guardian's absence.
S. Child Care Staff
A care giver who provides child care services for a
				  child(ren) when the parent(s) and other family members are unavailable.
				  Including the child care director, hired staff, volunteers, and drivers.
T. Child with Special Needs
A child under the age of 19 who meets the Supplemental
				  Security Income (SSI) definition of disability by having a medically determined
				  physical or mental impairment that results in marked and severe functional
				  limitations, that can be expected to result in death, or that has lasted or can
				  be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12)
				  months.
U. Child in
				Protective Services
Children that are court ordered to receive Protective
				  Services or supervision from the Mississippi Department of Child Protection
				  Services (MDCPS). This terms also refers to children of emergency personnel
				  during declared Disaster or Emergency Conditions.
V. Consumer Education Website
The consumer education website is available to parents,
				  providers, and the general public to ensure access to information and services
				  within the state.
W.
				Co-Payment Fee
A mandatory parent or guardian contribution to the cost of
				  child care in the CCPP that is paid directly from the parent or guardian to the
				  provider and is determined by DECCD through application of a sliding fee
				  scale.
X. Critical Violation
Violation of rule(s) identified by the Mississippi State
				  Department of Health (MSDH) in the
Regulations Governing Licensure of
				  Child Care Facilities
as most critical because non- compliance with
				  those rules poses a threat to the health, safety, or well-being of the children
				  in care and to the operation of the center.
Y. Deadline
Refers to the last day any action can occur on processes
				  related to parents or providers.
Z. Degrees of Kinship According to The Law
The first degree of kinship refers to parents and children.
				  The second degree of kinship refers to siblings (brothers and sisters),
				  grandparents, and grandchildren. The third degree of kinship refers to uncles,
				  aunts, nieces, nephews, great-grandparents, and great- grandchildren.
AA. Designated Study Hours
Study hours are allowed in a 1:1 ratio with actual classroom
				  hours the parent/guardian participates in and cannot exceed actual classroom
				  hour enrollment for the parent/guardian.
BB. Director
The person who has primary responsibility for the daily
				  operations and management of a child care center. CCPP approved providers must
				  be onsite for a minimum of 60% of the operating hours of each program day to
				  receive reimbursement.
CC.
				Director Designee
Any individual designated to act as the director, having all
				  responsibility and authority of a director, during the director's short-term
				  absence, as defined by the Mississippi State Department of Health
				  (MSDH).
DD. Educational
				Hours
Hours which may be a combination of actual classroom hours
				  and designated study hours for parents/guardians enrolled in educational
				  programs/job training.
EE.
				Educational Program/Job Training
A program offering educational or job training content.
				  Educational programs must be accredited by the State of Mississippi or a
				  national organization. Job Training programs must result in a certificate of
				  completion or professional certification. If employer offered, verification of
				  participation in a Job Training program can be provided by the employer.
				  Participation may be used to meet the work requirement for CCPP
				  eligibility.
Attending Educational Program/Job Training - Full-time
				  enrollment in an education and/or job training program resulting in a degree or
				  certificate designed to promote job skills and employability, or a combination
				  of the two (2). Full-time enrollment is defined by the institution providing
				  the education and/or job training program.
FF. Eligible Child
A child meeting the eligibility requirements either through
				  family or individual conditions as set forth by the CCDBG Act and this policy
				  manual.
GG. Eligibility
				Period
A period of at least twelve (12) months during which a family
				  or child is eligible to receive child care subsidy. Periods of eligibility
				  shall be shortened for violations of eligibility or fraud.
HH. Emergency Preparedness Plan
Each child care center is required to have an emergency
				  preparedness plan - all activities and processes designed to prepare for an
				  unsafe event and deal with the immediate emergency conditions created by or
				  associated with the event, per the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
				  Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5195
				  a(a)(1)).
II. Excessive
				Absences
A child absent from the child care provider for sixty (60)
				  consecutive calendar days or more without contact with the child care
				  provider.
JJ. Families with
				Very Low Income
A family with the total family income at or below 50% of the
				  State Median Income (SMI).
KK. Family Child Care Provider
A person which provides shelter and personal care for five
				  (5) or fewer children who are not related within the third degree computed
				  according to the civil law to the operator and who are under 13 years of age
				  and under 19 years of age for children with special needs, for any part of the
				  24-hour day, whether such place be organized or operated for profit or not
				  within a Family Child Care Home. This facility must be registered with and
				  monitored by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH).
LL. Family Unit
Any person living in the household who is financially or
				  legally responsible for the care of the child(ren) included in an application
				  for a child care certificate.
MM. Full-Time Child Care
Child care provided for six (6) or more hours of a 24-hour
				  day. Full-time child care should meet the needs and reflect the work,
				  education, or job training schedule of the parent.
NN. Gross Income
The income before any deductions of any member of the family
				  as defined above.
OO.
				Homeless Children
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements
				  Act of 2001 defines homeless children and youth as "individuals who lack a
				  fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence." Examples of homeless
				  children and youth include those who 1) share the housing of other persons due
				  to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason (sometimes referred
				  to as doubled-up); 2) live in motels, in hotels, or on camping grounds due to
				  lack of adequate alternative accommodations; 3) live in emergency or
				  transitional shelters; 4) were abandoned in hospitals; 5) await foster care
				  placement; 6) have a primary nighttime residence that is not ordinarily used as
				  a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; 7) live in caves, parks,
				  public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, and bus or train
				  stations; and 8) are migratory children and youth living in any circumstances
				  described above.
PP.
				Improper Payment
A payment made to a provider on behalf of a parent or
				  guardian for CCDF subsidy at the time the payment was made. The error may have
				  been due to Agency Error (AE), Unintentional Program Violation (UPV), or
				  Intentional Program Violation (IPV).
QQ. Income
Funds received by all applicable individuals as described in
				  this policy that are not supplemented by any public assistance other than child
				  support received, medical assistance, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
				  Program (SNAP). Income that is counted towards the maximum allowable income
				  limit includes: wages or salary (gross income of any family unit as defined
				  above), base pay for military personnel, net income from self-employment,
				  unemployment compensation, worker's compensation, alimony (regular and ongoing
				  payments), veteran's benefits, military allotments, capital gains, rental
				  income (regular and ongoing payments), dividends (regularand ongoing payments),
				  retirement/pension, commission, cash bonuses, and regular or lump sum
				  payments.
RR. Infants
Children from birth through 12 months.
SS. In-Home Care Provider
A provider that cares for a special need child in the child's
				  home. Provider must be at least 18 years of age and shall not reside in the
				  child's home. The limitations on in-home care are that all children must reside
				  in the home, must be related or connected through Child Protective Services
				  placement or adoption, and must have special needs. A maximum of three children
				  are allowed in the home at any one time. Providers must also register with MSDH
				  and hold a Special Needs In-Home Certificate.
TT. In Loco Parentis
An individual who functions in place of a parent, if the
				  child's parent is unable to act as the parent or has delegated his or her
				  parental authority. The term describes someone who provides care and
				  supervision like a parent but without going through the formalities of legal
				  adoption or guardianship. Requires submission of a Guardianship/In Loco
				  Parentis Verification form as part of the Child Care Payment Program (CCPP)
				  application process.
UU.
				Intentional Program Violation (IPV)
An intentional act by the parental authority or a child care
				  provider to misrepresent or mislead by providing false documentation or
				  verification or intentionally omitting documentation or verification in an
				  effort to wrongfully obtain eligibility for services or payment, which is
				  proven by clear and convincing evidence.
VV. Lead Agency
The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) is the
				  state entity that serves as the Lead Agency for the administration of programs
				  and services funded by the Child Care and Development Fund.
WW. License -Exempt Child Care Provider
A child care provider that meets one of the conditions for
				  exemption as established by Mississippi law. A License-Exempt provider must
				  meet one of the exemptions AND one of the legal definitions for a child care
				  provider as defined in Mississippi law. Proof of License exempt status is
				  provided solely by the Mississippi State Department of Health.
XX. Licensed Child Care Provider
A provider licensed to deliver child care services for fewer
				  than 24 hours per day per child in a non-residential setting. Providers who
				  meet a condition of license exemption as described in Mississippi Law and are
				  voluntarily licensed, as well as providers in residential settings who are
				  voluntarily licensed are also identified as a Licensed Child Care
				  Provider.
YY. Licensing or
				Regulatory Requirements
Requirements necessary for a provider to legally provide
				  child care services in a state or locality including regulations and
				  requirements established under State, Local, or Tribal law. The Mississippi
				  Child Care Licensing Law (see Miss. Code §
										43-20-3) provides the legal
				  authority under which the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH)
				  regulates health, safety, and welfare in licensed child care facilities.
ZZ. Mississippi Early Learning
				Guidelines and Standards
Educational standards and guidelines for children from birth
				  through four-years old.
AAA.
				Natural Disaster
Catastrophic events that cause, or may cause, substantial
				  damage or injury to civilian property or persons, per Section 602(a)(1) of the
				  Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (
				  42 U.S.C.
				  5195 a(a)(1)). Examples of these events
				  include but are not limited to hurricanes, tornados, floods, earthquakes,
				  fires, or snowstorms.
BBB.
				Neglected Child
A child (i) whose parent, guardian or custodian or any person
				  responsible for his care or support, neglects or refuses, when able so to do,
				  to provide for him proper and necessary care or support, or education as
				  required by law, or medical, surgical, or other care necessary for his
				  well-being; (ii) who is otherwise without proper care, custody, supervision or
				  support; or (iii) who, for any reason, lacks the special care made necessary
				  for him by reason of his mental condition, whether the mental condition is
				  having mental illness or having an intellectual disability; or (iv) who, for
				  any reason, lacks the care necessary for his health, morals or
				  well-being.
CCC.
				Non-Traditional Care
Includes weeknight care and supervision of children for less
				  than 24-hours per day within the twelve hours between 6:00 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.,
				  and/or weekend care and supervision of children between 6:00 p.m. Friday and
				  5:59 a.m. Monday.
DDD.
				Notice of Redetermination (Parent)
Informs the parent and provider of a child's upcoming
				  redetermination of eligibility.
EEE. Notice of Redetermination (Provider)
Informs the provider of an upcoming redetermination of
				  eligibility.
FFF. Parent
A mother or father by blood, marriage, or adoption; a legal
				  guardian; or another person standing in loco parentis.
GGG. Parent with A Disability
A parent who meets the SSI definition of disability by being
				  unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically
				  determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in
				  death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of
				  not less than twelve (12) months.
HHH. Part-Time Child Care
Child care provided for fewer than six (6) hours of a 24-hour
				  day.
III. Preschool-Aged
				Child
Children from three (3) years of age up to their first day of
				  kindergarten, with the exception of children participating in Early Head Start,
				  Head Start, or public PreK programs during the school day.
JJJ. Priority Population
A term used to refer to a population with shared
				  characteristics and identify the order in which applications will be processed
				  in the event that funding is inadequate to serve all applicants.
KKK. Provider
A general term used to refer to any center or individual
				  providing care to children as described in this policy manual.
LLL. Provisional Child Care
				Certificate
A child care certificate that is issued to children of
				  parents with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Transitional
				  Child Care (TCC) cases who are no longer qualified due to TANF guidelines, with
				  the exception of cases excluded for intentional program violation. The
				  provisional certificate is issued at the end date of the TANF or TCC case
				  closure and allows for a full consecutive twelve (12) months of child care
				  subsidy. The provisional certificate is issued upon closure of TANF or TCC
				  cases for the remainder of a twelve (12) month period from the initial issue
				  date of the original certificate.
MMM. Redetermination of Eligibility
Eligibility for child care assistance through the Child Care
				  Payment Program (CCPP), which is to be conducted no more frequently than every
				  twelve (12) months for each eligible family.
NNN. Residing/Living With
Living with, including taking meals and sleeping in the same
				  house, for a majority of a seven (7) day period beginning Sunday and ending
				  Saturday.
OOO. Referral
				& Resource Centers (R&Rs)
Offer technical assistance, training, consultation, materials
				  and resources on developmentally appropriated practices, health related issues
				  and practices. R&Rs offer consumer education to parents and interested
				  parties on a variety of health, social support programs, and child care
				  options. The R&Rs are able to assist providers to include children with
				  disabilities in their programs and provide onsite consultation to assist
				  providers in problem solving child care, health and inclusion issues. In
				  addition, R&Rs identify unmet training needs of providers and provide
				  information on existing training opportunities or arrange for training when
				  none exists.
PPP.
				School-Aged Care
Child care services for school-age children or those
				  attending other educational programs such as Head Start or public pre-K during
				  the hours before and after the regular school day. The regular school day is
				  defined by the educational program providing the child care services. Extended
				  day care child care is available before and after school for Early Head Start
				  and Head Start children (6 weeks to 5 years) and school-age children (ages
				  5-12) who need such care due to the work, education, or job training schedule
				  of their parent(s).
QQQ.
				School-Age Child
A child who is five (5) years of age or older and eligible to
				  be enrolled in public school.
RRR. Seasonal Workers
Individuals whose employment is seasonal and may include
				  periods of unemployment due to the nature of their work.
SSS. Serious Injury
Injuries that require medical attention by a licensed health
				  practitioner or as defined by the MSDH regulations.
TTT. Social Security Benefits
Benefit payments to individuals or certain family members
				  based on how long the individual worked and whether the individual paid
				  sufficient Social Security taxes, considered as countable income for
				  eligibility purposes.
UUU.
				Standard Child Care Center
A standard designation sets a minimum standard for quality
				  for CCPP child care providers.
VVV. State Median Income (SMI)
The median income of all Mississippi employees.
WWW. Substantiated Child Abuse
Cases of child abuse occurring in child care settings that
				  have been confirmed by law enforcement and/or the Mississippi Department of
				  Child Protection Services or a state authorized agency.
XXX. Summer Care
Child care for eligible children during the summer months,
				  when primary school settings are not in session.
YYY. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
A monthly payment to a person for having a medically proven
				  physical or mental condition that causes marked and severe functional
				  limitations that are expected to last at least twelve (12) months in duration.
				  Unlike Social Security Benefits, SSI benefits are not based on prior work or a
				  family member's prior work. SSI is considered as countable income for
				  eligibility purposes.
ZZZ.
				Teen Parent
Any student parent under the age of 18 who is either enrolled
				  in high school fulltime or attending a full-time educational program.
AAAA. Temporary Assistance for
				Needy Families (TANF)
A federal subsidy program that provides time-limited benefits
				  to eligible families.
BBBB.
				Temporary Change
A temporary change is defined as temporary job loss, or if a
				  working parent is temporarily absent from employment due to extended medical
				  leave, has changes in seasonal work schedule, or if a parent is enrolled in a
				  training or educational program that is temporarily not attending classes
				  between semesters. Assistance will not be terminated due to a temporary
				  change.
CCCC. Temporary
				Long-Term Absences
A child's absence of more than sixty (60) days due to special
				  circumstances such as chronic illness of the child, custody situation that
				  requires the child to spend extended time with a non-custodial parent, or a
				  temporary move out of state. If pre-approved by DECCD, the CCPP certificate
				  will not be terminated.
DDDD. Terminated Child Care Certificate
A certificate that has been used as payment for child care
				  services for a period of time and is no longer valid.
EEEE. Toddler
Any child who is more than twelve (12) months old but less
				  than 36 months old.
FFFF.
				Transitional Child Care (TCC)
Up to 24 months of subsidized child care for eligible
				  parents, issued by the MDHS Division of Economic Assistance to assist parents
				  in making a successful transition from TANF to self-sufficiency.
GGGG. Unintentional Program
				Violation (UPV)
An improper payment made on behalf of a parent/guardian to a
				  child care provider, due to a misunderstanding of policy or an unintended error
				  on the part of the parent or child care provider.
HHHH. Vendor Payment
A payment made on behalf of a household by a third party to
				  the household's creditors or a person or organization providing a service to
				  the household. Vendor payments are not countable as income.
IIII. Work Requirement
The Parent or Guardian work requirement is met through
				  performing duties to earn a wage. The work requirement is met through
				  performing duties to earn a wage. Applicants may combine work hours with
				  enrollment in an educational/job training program to satisfy this
				  requirement.
45 CFR
				  98; Miss. Code Ann. §
										43-1-2(4); Miss.
				  Code Ann. §
										43-1-4 Revised: May
				  2023.