reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 1 - CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM POLICY MANUAL NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE › Section 148-1-I - INTRODUCTION › Subsection 148-1-I-C - STRUCTURE OF THE MANUAL

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
This manual is structured to conform with the State of
					 Maine Administrative Procedure Act (APA),
					  5 MRSA, §8001 -
					 11008, as
					 amended. Each distinct part of this manual will be found under a "Section,"
					 further broken into "Subsection" and "Page" under the APA referencing
					 procedure. This manual is meant to be as all encompassing as possible but at
					 the same time must remain flexible, as periodically the laws are changed or new
					 laws are passed by the Congress of these United States. When this occurs all
					 old laws and relating policies are superseded by the new law and it will become
					 necessary to revise this manual in accordance with the APA. All future
					 substantive policy changes or revisions will be issued only after a formal
					 policy notice, as required by the APA.
Manual Update Procedures:
1. Formal revisions to this manual shall be
				  transmitted from the Director of the Bureau of Child & Family Services to
				  the Executive Directors of participating organizations and other manual holders
				  after compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
2. A cover memorandum which includes an
				  explanation of the revisions and detailed instructions shall be attached to
				  each transmittal, and shall be numbered and dated.
3. Revisions of the manual shall be published
				  as often as necessary.
4. The issue
				  date in the upper right hand corner of each page shall not reflect the
				  effective date of the policy change in all instances. In these instances the
				  effective date will be stated in the formal notice issued with the
				  change.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 1 - CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM POLICY MANUAL NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE › Section 148-1-III - APPLICATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM › Subsection 148-1-III-A - APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. PURPOSE:
To establish the initial application and annual
					 reapplication procedures to be followed, and the requirements for
					 participation, in the Child and Adult Care Food Program
2. STANDARDS:
1. To qualify for participation in the
				  C.A.C.F.P. an organization shall:
a. Be
				  public, i.e. a federal, state or municipal agency; or
b. Be incorporated in the State of Maine as a
				  private non-profit corporation; and hold or show evidence toward obtaining
				  tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954;
1 An organization which provides
				  documentation that it has applied to the Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.) for
				  tax-exempt status may participate in the C.A.C.F.P. while its application is
				  pending review by the IRS;
2 If the
				  IRS certification has not been received by the organization within 12 months of
				  filing the application with the IRS, the organization shall provide the Bureau
				  documented evidence of its timely submission of all information requested by
				  the IRS. Failure to provide evidence that the organization has provided all
				  information requested by the IRS, shall result in the Bureau terminating the
				  organizations participation in the C.A.C.F.P. until such time as IRS tax-exempt
				  status is obtained;
3 The loss or
				  denial of IRS tax-exempt status shall be reported immediately to the Bureau.
				  Upon such notification the Bureau shall terminate the organization's
				  participation in the C.A.C.F.P.; or
c. Be a proprietary corporation providing
				  non-residential adult or child day care services for which it receives
				  compensation under Title XIX or Title XX of the Social Security Act. Such
				  organization shall provide evidence that at least 25% of the enrolled adults or
				  children in attendance in each center for each day of the claiming month were
				  either Title XIX or Title XX beneficiaries during the claiming month;
				  and
d. Continually maintain the
				  status of (1), (2), or (3) above. The loss of this status shall cause the
				  organization to lose its eligibility to participate in the C.A.C.F.P.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 1 - CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM POLICY MANUAL NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE › Section 148-1-IV - NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS › Subsection 148-1-IV-A - MEAL COMPONENTS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. PURPOSE:
To establish, as a minimum, the meal components and
					 quantities prepared that organizations are required to make available to
					 individuals enrolled in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
2. STANDARDS:
1. Each meal served in the program shall
				  contain, as a minimum, the following food components for participants age one
				  year and older:
a. Breakfast shall contain:
1 A serving of fluid milk as a beverage or on
				  cereal, or used in part for each purpose;
2 A serving of vegetables or fruit(s) or
				  full-strength vegetable or fruit juice, or an equivalent quantity of any
				  combination of these foods;
3 A
				  serving of whole-grain or enriched bread; or an equivalent serving of
				  cornbread, biscuits, rolls, muffins, etc. made with whole-grain or enriched
				  meal or flour; or a serving of whole-grain or enriched or fortified cereal; or
				  a serving of cooked whole-grain or enriched pasta or noodle products such as
				  macaroni, or cereal grains such as rice, bulgur, or corn grits; or an
				  equivalent quantity of any combination of these foods.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 1 - CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM POLICY MANUAL NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE › Section 148-1-IV - NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS › Subsection 148-1-IV-B - INFANT MEAL PATTERN

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. PURPOSE:
When infants from birth through 11 months participate in
					 the C.A.C.F P., an infant meal shall be offered. Foods within the infant meal
					 pattern shall be of a texture and consistency appropriate for the particular
					 age group being served, and shall be served during a span of time consistent
					 with the infant's eating habits.
For infants 4 through 7 months of age, solid foods are
					 optional and should be introduced only if the infant is developmentally ready.
					 Whenever possible the child care facility should consult with the infant's
					 parent in making the decision to introduce solid foods. Solid foods should be
					 introduced one at a time on a gradual basis with the intent of ensuring health
					 and nutritional well-being.
For infants 8 through 11 months of age, the total amount of
					 food described in the meal patterns set forth must be provided in order to
					 qualify for reimbursement. Additional foods may be served to infants 4 months
					 of age and older with the intent of improving their overall nutrition.
Breast milk, provided by the infant's mother, may be served
					 in place of infant formula from birth through 11 months of age. However,
					 meals/supplements containing only breast milk or formula provided by the parent
					 do not qualify for reimbursement. Meals/supplements containing breast milk or
					 formula provided by the parent, served to infants 4 months of age or older, may
					 be claimed for reimbursement only when the other required food component or
					 components are supplied by the child day care facility.
Although it is recommended that either breast milk or
					 iron-fortified infant formula be served for the entire first year, whole milk
					 may be served beginning at 8 months of age as long as infants are consuming
					 one-third of their calories as a balanced mixture of cereal, fruits,
					 vegetables, and other foods in order to ensure adequate sources of iron and
					 vitamin C. In order to develop behaviors that may prevent baby bottle tooth
					 decay, juice should not be offered to infants until they are ready to drink
					 from a cup.
The infant meal pattern shall contain, as a minimum, each
					 of the following components in the amounts indicated for the appropriate age
					 group in order to be reimbursable.
1. Birth through 3 months:
a. Breakfast: 4 to 6 fluid ounces of
				  iron-fortified infant formula;
b.
				  Lunch or Supper: 4 to 6 fluid ounces of iron-fortified infant
				  formula;
c. Supplemental Food: 4 to
				  6 fluid ounces of iron-fortified infant formula.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 1 - CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM POLICY MANUAL NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE › Section 148-1-IV - NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS › Subsection 148-1-IV-E - CHILD NUTRITION (CN) LABELED FOOD ITEMS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. PURPOSE:
To Identify requirements as they pertain to the use of
					 Child Nutrition (CN) Labeled food items.
The Child Nutrition (CN) Labeling Program is a voluntary
					 technical assistance program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service
					 (FNS) in conjunction with the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the
					 U.S. Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.) and National Marine Fisheries Service
					 of the U.S. Department of Commerce for the Child Nutrition Program. This
					 program essentially involves the review of a manufacturer's recipe or product
					 formulation to determine the contribution a serving of a commercially prepared
					 product makes toward meal pattern requirements and a review of the CN Label
					 statement to ensure its accuracy.
Products eligible for CN labels are:
1. Commercially prepared food products that
				  contribute significantly to the meat/meat alternate component of meal pattern
				  requirements and are served in the main dish; and
2. Juice drinks and juice drink products that
				  contain a minimum of 50 percent full strength juice by volume. (Not applicable
				  in Maine C.A.C.F.P.)
The following definitions apply:
1. "CN Label": means a food product label
				  that contains a CN statement and CN logo.
2. "CN Logo": means a distinct border (as
				  shown below) which is used around the edges of a "CN Label
				  Statement."
3. The "CN Label
				  Statement" includes the following:
a A 6
				  digit FNS assigned product identification number located in the upper right
				  hand corner;
b A statement of the
				  product's contribution toward meal pattern requirements for the child nutrition
				  programs. This identifies the contribution of a specific portion of a meat/meat
				  alternate product toward the meat/meat alternate, bread/bread alternate, and or
				  vegetable/fruit component of the meal pattern requirements. It also identifies
				  the contribution that juice drinks and juice drink products make toward the
				  vegetable/fruit component of the meal pattern requirements;
c A statement that use of the CN logo and the
				  CN statement was authorized by FNS; and
d The approval date.
An example of a CN label statement is as follows:
000000
This 3.00 oz. serving of raw beef
								patty provides, when cooked,, 2.00 oz. equivalent meat/meat alternate for Child
								Nutrition Meal Pattern Requirements (Use of this logo and statement authorized
								by the Food and Nutrition Service,
U.S.D.A.
02-92.)
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 1 - CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM POLICY MANUAL NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE › Section 148-1-V - C.A.C.F.P. ADMINISTRATION › Subsection 148-1-V-A - REPORTING AND CLAIMING REQUIREMENTS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
				  PURPOSE:
To establish the reporting and claiming for reimbursement
					 requirements organizations must follow when participating in the USDA Child and
					 Adult Care Food Program.
2.
				  STANDARDS:
1. Organizations participating in
				  the C.A.C.F.P. shall submit to the Bureau a claim for reimbursement on a form
				  designed by the Bureau. The claim for reimbursement shall be based on actual
				  data and shall contain the following information for the period being
				  reported/claimed:
a. The current year's
				  agreement number;
b. Identification
				  of the organization submitting the report/claim;
c. Number assigned to the organization by IRS
				  including letter designations if appropriate,
d. The period being reported/claimed (month
				  and year);
e. Identification of
				  whether the report/claim is original or revised;
f. The number of facilities operated or
				  sponsored by type;
g. The number of
				  facilities which operated during the claiming month,, by type;
h. The number of days the facilities were
				  open;
i. The average daily
				  attendance;
j. Adult day care
				  Centers, child day care centers and outside-school-hours centers shall report
				  the number of participants in each of the "Free", "Reduced-price" and "Paid"
				  categories who are enrolled in the program on the last day of the month being
				  claimed;
k. The number of meals
				  claimed, by type (breakfast, lunch, A.M. and P.M. Supplements, Supper and
				  Evening Supplement) served to enrolled participants who were in attendance at
				  the time of meal service;
l.
				  Sponsors of child day care homes shall report their actual administrative costs
				  for the claiming month by line item. Costs shall only be reported/claimed for
				  line items which appear in the signed original agreement or approved
				  amendment;
m. Sponsors of child day
				  care homes shall report the total amount of the administrative budget that
				  appears In their signed agreement or approved amendment.
n. Each organization shall certify that the
				  claim is correct and that records are available to support the claim.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 1 - CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM POLICY MANUAL NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE › Section 148-1-V - C.A.C.F.P. ADMINISTRATION › Subsection 148-1-V-C - APPEALS AND HEARING

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish an appeal
					 procedure to be followed by an organization contesting an adverse action taken
					 by the State administering agency. This policy has been established in
					 accordance with Federal Rules and Regulations published in 7 CFR Part 226 and
					 State of Maine Administrative Procedures Act, 5 M.R.S.A. §§8001 -
					 9064.
1. Standards of Conduct
In accordance with 7 CFR Part 226, an organization,
					 including a sponsoring organization on behalf of a facility under its
					 jurisdiction, may appeal the following adverse actions:
a. Denial of an organization's application
				  for participation In the C.A.C.F.P.;
b. Denial of an application submitted by a
				  sponsoring organization on behalf of a facility;
c. Termination of the participation of an
				  organization or facility;
d.
				  Suspension of an organization's agreement;
e. Denial of an organization's application
				  for "Start-up Funds" payments;
f.
				  Denial of an organization's application for "Expansion Funds"
				  payments;
g. Denial of an advance
				  payment;
h. Denial of all or part
				  of the claim for reimbursement (except for late submissions under Section VP
				  Subsection A);
i. State agency
				  decision not to forward request for payment of a late claim to U.S.D.A.
				  Regional Office;
j. Demand for the
				  remittance of an overpayment (including audit recall of funds); or
k. Any other action of the Bureau affecting
				  the participation of an organization in the C.A.C.F.P. or the organization's
				  claim for reimbursement.
1 The Department
				  shall not be required to provide a hearing to an organization for State action
				  taken on the basis of a Federal audit determination. Appeals filed as a result
				  of an adverse action in response to a Federal audit determination shall be
				  forwarded to USDA Food and Nutrition Services for a
				  hearing.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 1 - CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM POLICY MANUAL NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE › Appendix 148-1-1 - INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
JULY 1, 1993 - JUNE 30, 1994
ELIGIBILITY SCALE FOR "FREE"
				  MEALS
FAMILY SIZE
ANNUAL
MONTHLY
WEEKLY
1
$ 9,061
$ 756
$175
2
12,259
1,022
236
3
15,457
1,289
298
4
18,655
1,555
359
5
21,853
1,822
421
6
25,051
2,088
482
7
28,249
2,355
544
8
31,447
2,621
605
Each Additional Household Member
+ 3,198
+ 267
+ 62
ELIGIBILITY SCALE FOR "REDUCED PRICE"
				  MEALS
FAMILY SIZE
ANNUAL
MONTHLY
WEEKLY
1
$ 9,062 - $ 12895
$ 757 - 1,075
$176 - 248
2
12,260 - 17,446
1,023 - 1,454
237 - 336
3
15,458 - 21,997
1,290- 1,834
299 - 424
4
18,656 - 26,548
1,556 - 2,213
360- 511
5
21,854 - 31,099
1,823 - 2,592
422 - 599
6
25,052 - 35,650
2,089 - 2,971
483 - 686
7
28,250 - 40,201
2,356 - 3,351
545 - 774
8
31,448 - 44,752
2,622 - 3,730
606 - 861
Each Additional Household Member
+ 4,551
+ 380
+ 88
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 1 - CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM POLICY MANUAL NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE › Appendix 148-1-#2 - ADMINISTRATIVE AND MEAL REIMBURSEMENT RATES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
July 1, 1993 June 30, 1994
ADULT DAY CARE, CHILD DAY CARE, HEAD START, AND
				  OUTSIDE-SCHOOL-HOURS CARE CENTERS:
FREE:
REDUCED-PRICE:
PAID:
BREAKFASTS:. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
							 .9600
$ .6600
$ .1900
LUNCHES & SUPPERS:. . . . . .
$
							 1.7250
$ 1.3250
$ .1650
SUPPLEMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
							 .4750
$ .2375
$ .0425
The Cash-in-Lieu of Donated Commodities rate for Lunches and
				  Suppers served in Centers has been set at $ .1400.
CHILD DAY CARE HOMES:
BREAKFASTS:. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
.8150
LUNCHES & SUPPERS:. . . . . .
$
1.4800
SUPPLEMENTS:. . . . . . . . . . . .
$
.4400
CHILD DAY CARE HOME SPONSORS:
Sponsors will receive the lessor of their net costs for
				  administration of CACFP for Homes they sponsor or the following:
FIRST 50 DAY CARE HOMES:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
							 . .
$
67.00 per operating Home
NEXT 150 DAY CARE HOMES:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
							 .
$
51.00 per operating Home
NEXT 800 DAY CARE HOMES:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
							 . .
$
40.00 per operating Home
ADDITIONAL DAY CARE HOMES:. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
35.00 per operating Home
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 5 - PURCHASE OF SERVICE POLICY MANUAL › Section 148-5-III - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
GENERAL
				ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES
1. PURPOSE:
The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible
				  for implementing and administering numerous broad-based federal and state
				  programs. In this capacity, the Department must determine the parameters within
				  which these programs will be operated and managed.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 5 - PURCHASE OF SERVICE POLICY MANUAL › Section 148-5-IV - SERVICE AREA POLICIES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
INTRODUCTION
1. PURPOSE:
The Office of Child and Family Services is committed to
				  maintaining professionalism and consistency in the conduct of purchasing
				  services from community agencies. The Office also is committed to purchasing
				  services from agencies which meet or exceed specific standards of quality in
				  the delivery of services.
2. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT:
a. The Office of Child and Family Services
				shall enter into a contractual agreement with a provider organization on the
				condition that:
i. All applicable service
				area policies and standards are met;
ii. The provider organization agrees to
				deliver the service(s) to be purchased in accordance with the Office's
				definitions of service(s), as explained in the Purchase of Service Procedures
				Manual.
iii. All applicable
				policies in Sections
				II,
				III, IV and
				V of this manual are met.
b. The Office of Child and Family
				Services shall determine the standards of quality to be applied to each service
				it purchases.
c. The Office of
				Child and Family Services shall determine the individual services to be
				included in a Service Area.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 6 - CHILD CARE SUBSIDY POLICY MANUAL › Section 148-6-1 - DEFINITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
Administrative Hearing
means
				a proceeding pursuant to the Administrative Hearings regulations, 10-144 C.M.R.
				ch. 1. Refer to:
http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/10/chaps10.htm#144
.
2.
Agency Administrative Errors
means errors caused solely by the Department.
3.
Allowable Net Income
means
				the net monthly business income for a self-employed Parent.
4.
ASPIRE
means the job
				preparation program to prepare for, accept, and retain employment.
5.
Assets
means equity in real
				and personal property.
6.
At-Risk Children
means Children identified by the Department of
				Health and Human Services' Office of Child and Family Services as a Child in
				Care and Custody.
7.
Award
				Letter
means the document notifying a Parent and selected Provider of
				the Child Care Affordability Program Award Period, time awarded, and the Parent
				Fee.
8.
Award Period
means no less than twelve (12) months as required by federal law (45 C.F.R. §
										98.21), the Department-Approved timeframe,
				for Child Care Affordability Program eligibility.
9.
Care and Custody
means
				Children in the Care and Custody of the Department or a Federally Recognized
				Tribe.
10.
Caseworker
means an employee of the Department or Federally Recognized Tribe, authorized
				to provide specialized case management services to At-Risk Children, Children
				in Open Child Protective Cases, and Children in the Care and Custody of the
				Department.
11.
Child
means an individual (a) between six (6) weeks and under thirteen (13) years of
				age, (b) who turns thirteen (13) years old during a twelve (12) month
				eligibility period, or (c) a Child with Special Needs who is under the age of
				nineteen (19).
12.
Child Care
				Affordability Program (CCAP)
means financial support for eligible
				families with low income(s) and other designated client categories; available
				dependent upon funding; and which may pay for Child Care Services provided by a
				qualified Child Care Provider.
13.
Child Care Affordability Program Payments
means the amount set by
				the Department, based on the Market Rate, minus the Parent Fee, that the
				Department reimburses the Child Care Provider on behalf of the Parent for Child
				Care Services provided to an eligible Child by an enrolled Child Care
				Provider.
14.
Child Care
				Facility
means a Provider licensed as a Child Care Facility by the
				Department.
15.
Child Care
				Provider (Provider)
means an entity providing child care services who is
				qualified to participate in CCAP. A Provider is:
(a) a Child Care Facility or Family Child
				Care Provider licensed by the Department,
(b) a Child Care Provider licensed by New
				Hampshire, or
(c) a License-Exempt
				Child Care Provider as defined in this rule.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 6 - CHILD CARE SUBSIDY POLICY MANUAL › Section 148-6-2 - ELIGIBILITY

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Child Eligibility.
To be
				eligible for a Child Care Affordability Program, a Child shall:
1. Reside with a Family whose Gross Income
				does not exceed one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the State Median
				Income (SMI) when adjusted for Family size. SMI is based on the most recent SMI
				data that is published by the Bureau of the Census, for a Family of the same
				size;
2. Reside with a Family whose
				Family Assets do not exceed $1,000,000 (as certified by the Parent);
3. Be a U.S. citizen, or a "qualified alien"
				as defined in 8 U.S.C. §
											1641 or defined in
				8 U.S.C. §
											1359. Only the citizenship and immigration
				status of the Child, who is the primary beneficiary of the Child Care
				Affordability Program, is relevant for eligibility purposes. Parents who cannot
				provide verification of citizenship of Children receiving Child Care Services
				are not eligible for the Child Care Affordability Program.
4. Not Reside With a Parent who has a current
				status of Misrepresentation to obtain any State or Federal benefit;
5. Reside with a Parent who is a Maine
				Resident;
6. Reside with a
				Parent(s) who is Employed or attending an Educational Program or Job Training
				Program which prevents the Parent(s) from providing care and supervision of the
				Child(ren) during the time the Parent is participating in the
				activity.
7. Meet one of the
				following age requirements:
a. Be at least six
				(6) weeks of age and less than thirteen (13) years of age;
b. Turn thirteen (13) years of age during a
				current eligibility period; or
c.
				Be a Child with Special Needs or under court supervision.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 6 - CHILD CARE SUBSIDY POLICY MANUAL › Section 148-6-3 - WAIT LIST

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. The Department
				must maintain a Wait List if funding is not available at the time the
				Department receives a Parent's complete program application for the Child Care
				Affordability Program.
B. Parents
				on the Wait List shall receive written notification annually from the
				Department, informing them they have thirty (30) calendar days to provide
				updated program application information if they wish to remain on the Wait
				List.
C.
Priorities for Wait
				List
1. Children from Families at or
				below 85% SMI at time of application or redetermination, Children who are
				Homeless, and Children with Special Needs will have priority over other
				Children otherwise eligible for Child Care Affordability.
2. As funding becomes available, all other
				Parents are selected from the Wait List on a first-come, first-served basis,
				based on the date the Department received the completed application or
				redetermination.
3. Exceptions to
				the above may be granted by the State Child Care Administrator for the
				following:
a. In cases of catastrophic events
				including, but not limited to: fires; storms; accidents; or Family emergencies,
				including, but not limited to, surgery and other medical procedures;
				or
b. For siblings of Children
				accepted from the Wait List. When funding is not available to serve all
				siblings, the remaining siblings will continue in their position on the Wait
				List for Child Care Services.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 6 - CHILD CARE SUBSIDY POLICY MANUAL › Section 148-6-4 - REIMBURSEMENT

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. The Department shall process and determine
				eligibility for the Child Care Affordability Program within fifteen (15) days
				of receiving a completed application.
B. The Department shall notify a Child Care
				Provider within two (2) business days of a Child's eligibility
				change.
C. The Department will make
				a Child Care Affordability Program Payment to an eligible Child's Child Care
				Provider in the amount of the lesser of (1) the maximum Market Rate set forth
				by the Department or (2) the Child Care Provider's rate set forth in the Child
				Care Provider's Provider Agreement, less the Parent Fee and adjusted as
				otherwise provided in this Rule.
D.
				The Department will establish Market Rates for Child Care Providers based on
				age of child, geographic location, hours in care, and provider type. The
				Department is the only entity authorized to establish the Child Care
				Affordability Program Market Rates.
E. If a Parent with whom an eligible Child
				resides has a court order indicating that another person shares responsibility
				for Child Care, the Department will decrease the amount of the Child Care
				Affordability Program Payment in accordance with such court order.
F. Child Care Services funded, in whole or in
				part, by the Child Care Affordability Program may be provided only by a Child
				Care Provider that has entered into and is in compliance with a Provider
				Agreement with the Department that describes the responsibilities of both
				parties, using the forms provided by the Department.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 6 - CHILD CARE SUBSIDY POLICY MANUAL › Section 148-6-5 - PARENT FEE AND COSTS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Associated
				Parent Fees & Costs
1. All Parents
				will be assessed, and a Parent Fee will be determined based on the number of
				individuals in the Family, the Eligibility Income of the family, and Quality
				Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) level of the Provider. The Parent Fee does
				not vary with the number of Children receiving Child Care Services, the amount
				of Child Care Services they need, or the type of Child Care Services the Parent
				chooses to use.
2. The Department
				will notify Parents of the amount of the Parent Fee and associated payment
				terms. All Parent Fees will be paid directly to the Child Care Provider by the
				Parent or another party acting on behalf of the Parent, for the full period
				their Child(ren) is/are enrolled and the Department is making Child Care
				Affordability Program Payments on their behalf.
3. Parents choosing a Provider at the second
				highest QRIS level will receive a ten percent (10%) reduction in their Parent
				Fee determination. Parents choosing a Provider at the highest QRIS level will
				receive a twenty percent (20%) reduction in their Parent Fee
				determination.
4. If the Parent Fee
				exceeds the state reimbursement rate, the Parent is not eligible to receive
				Child Care Affordability Program payments.
5. Under no circumstances will the Department
				use state or federal funds to pay the Parent Fee.
6. Parent Fees may be paid with scholarship
				funds or other sources.
7. The
				total amount of the Parent Fee assessed cannot exceed ten percent (10%) of the
				Family's Gross Income or Allowable Net Income.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 6 - CHILD CARE SUBSIDY POLICY MANUAL › Section 148-6-6 - ENROLLMENT

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Enrollment Hours
1. Total enrollment hours will be awarded in
				one (1) hour increments and cannot exceed fifty (50) hours per Child, per week.
				Exceptions are approved by the Department on a case-by-case basis.
a. A Provider may not receive Child Care
				Affordability Program Payments until the Provider has started providing Child
				Care Services to the Child.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 6 - CHILD CARE SUBSIDY POLICY MANUAL › Section 148-6-7 - MAINTAINING PARENT ELIGIBILITY

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Reporting
				Requirements
1. Within ten (10)
				calendar days of its occurrence, Parents participating in the Child Care
				Affordability Program must report any Non-Temporary Change to the Child Care
				Affordability Program.
2. Parents
				participating in the Child Care Affordability Program must report a Change of
				Child Care Provider to the Child Care Affordability Program ten (10) calendar
				days prior to enrolling their Children with the new Provider.
3. If a Parent fails to report a change
				within the required days of the change, the Parent's participation in the Child
				Care Affordability Program will be terminated.
4. It is the responsibility of the Parent to
				ensure that the Department has his/her current address and current email
				address. All notices sent to the last documented address provided by the
				Parent(s) and not returned will are deemed received.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 6 - CHILD CARE SUBSIDY POLICY MANUAL › Section 148-6-8 - CHILD CARE PROVIDER QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Child Care Provider
				Qualifications
1. To be qualified to
				receive reimbursement from the Child Care Affordability Program, Child Care
				Providers must either be:
(a) a Child Care
				Provider licensed by the Department,
(b) a Child Care Provider licensed by the New
				Hampshire DHHS Child Care Licensing Unit, or
(c) a License-Exempt Child Care Provider
				qualified by the Department under this Rule.
a. License-Exempt Providers include:
i.
A License-Exempt Child Care
				Provider,
who provides Child Care Services for no more than two (2)
				children, is eighteen (18) years of age or older, and is a Maine Resident, or
				is a Recreational program through a municipality, and has enrolled in Rising
				Stars for ME.
ii.
A
				License-Exempt Relative Child Care Provider
, who is a Child(ren)'s
				grandparent, great grandparent, sibling (if living in a separate residence),
				aunt, or uncle, who provides Child Care Services for no more than two (2)
				children, is eighteen (18) years of age or older, and is a Maine
				Resident.
iii.
A Non-Relative
				In-home Child Care Provider
, who provides Child Care Services in the
				Child's home and must be: eighteen (18) years of age or older, a Maine
				resident, and providing Child Care Services to a family unit receiving CCAP. In
				addition, the provider cannot care for more than two (2) of their own children
				while providing services.
iv.
A Relative In-home Child Care Provider
, who is a Child(ren)'s
				grandparent, great grandparent, sibling (if living in a separate residence),
				aunt, or uncle who provides Child Care Services in the Child's home and must
				be: eighteen (18) years of age or older, a Maine resident, and providing Child
				Care Services to a family unit receiving CCAP. In addition, the provider cannot
				care for more than two (2) of their own children while providing
				services.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 6 - CHILD CARE SUBSIDY POLICY MANUAL › Section 148-6-9 - TERMINATION OF SERVICES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Termination of Child Care Services by a Parent
1. The Parent may immediately terminate the
				Child Care Services with his/her Child Care Provider for failure of the Child
				Care Provider to allow Parents unlimited access to his/her Child(ren) unless
				access has been limited by a court order.
Child Care Services may be terminated by the Parent due to an
				  allegation of child care license/certification violation or Child abuse or
				  neglect investigated by the Department.
a. The Parent is responsible for paying their
				Parent Fee for an additional two (2) weeks following notice of
				termination.
b. Publicly available
				licensing information regarding Child Care Providers will be provided upon
				request by the Department. All inspection and monitoring reports are available
				at the Child Care Choices website
https://childcarechoices.me/
.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 6 - CHILD CARE SUBSIDY POLICY MANUAL › Section 148-6-10 - BILLING AND PAYMENTS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Payments
1. The Market Rate is
				set by the Department based on a survey of Child Care Providers or a
				statistically valid and reliable alternative methodology approved by the
				Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and is evaluated every three (3)
				years to ensure adequacy of rates for the purpose of demonstrating equal access
				to Child Care Services for families with low-income. Child Care Providers shall
				bill and the Department shall pay Child Care Affordability Program Payments as
				follows:
a. Starting on the closest Saturday
				to September 1, the Department will apply the School Age rate to CCAP Payments
				on behalf of Children who will turn five (5) years of age on or prior to
				October 15th, unless the Parent notifies the
				Department that the Child will not be starting full day schooling that
				year;
b. To maintain continuity of
				Child Care Services, in a twelve (12) month period (January to January), the
				Department will make CCAP Payments to a Child Care Provider for State holidays,
				up to forty (40) training hours, and up to two (2) weeks (Saturday through
				Friday) of Child Care Provider vacation time. The Child Care Provider may not
				charge CCAP families for additional vacation time beyond two (2)
				weeks;
c. All Child Care
				Affordability Program Payments to Child Care Providers will be for only those
				Child Care Services provided between the beginning date and the ending date for
				Child Care Services authorized in the Award Letter;
d. Child Care Affordability Program Payments
				will be made to all eligible Child Care Providers on a Reimbursement Basis and
				will be based on the number of hours of Child Care Services provided;
e. If a Child Care Provider has a policy of
				requiring a one (1)-time deposit, meal, registration fee, or application fee,
				the Parent will be responsible for these fees;
f. If a Provider is offering field trips and
				a Parent is not able to pay the extra fee the Provider must be able to provide
				care for the Children;
g. Child
				Care Providers having attained the highest three (3) levels of QRIS may qualify
				for an additional monetary stipend; and
h. Child Care Providers providing Off-Hour
				Care for Child Care Services Monday through Friday between the hours of 6 p.m.
				and 6 a.m. and anytime during the weekends, may receive an additional monetary
				stipend to be determined by the Department.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 6 - CHILD CARE SUBSIDY POLICY MANUAL › Section 148-6-11 - IMPROPER PAYMENTS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Underpayments and Overpayments
1.
				An improper payment occurs when a Parent or Child Care Provider receives more
				or less benefits than they should have received.
2. If the improper payment results in less
				benefits than should have been granted, the result is an
				Underpayment.
3. If the improper
				payment results in more benefits than should have been granted, the result is
				an Overpayment.
4. The Department
				shall take prompt action in accordance with the requirements of this section
				whenever an improper payment occurs.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 6 - CHILD CARE SUBSIDY POLICY MANUAL › Section 148-6-12 - ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. Any person who
				is denied service, has services reduced or terminated or is denied
				participation in CCAP by the Department has the right to a State agency
				hearing. The Commissioner has delegated to the Division of Administrative
				Hearings the responsibility to conduct State agency hearings. The State agency
				hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the current Administrative
				Procedure Act promulgated rules for State agency hearings.
2. The Department shall give written notice
				within thirty (30) calendar days of request for service to all persons who are
				denied services, using a form approved by the Department.
3. In all instances, notices of denial of
				service shall contain the Parent's or Provider's hearing rights.
4. The following actions shall not be subject
				to a State agency hearing on denial of service:
a. The service(s) requested are not within
				the Department's service or program description;
b. Department funds are depleted;
				and/or
c. The request for service
				originates from a person who is not authorized or appointed to act on behalf of
				a Parent.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 7 - RULES FOR THE AUTHORIZATION OF BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS › Section 148-7-1 - GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
DHHS is committed to assuring that children in its care and
				  custody have families that meet their needs for safety, permanency, and
				  well-being. DHHS seeks a partnership with kinship/foster/adoptive parents and
				  permanency guardians who can provide safe, stable, and nurturing home
				  environments and who are supportive of children and their families. DHHS seeks
				  kinship/foster/adoptive families and permanency guardians that reflect the
				  diverse racial, ethnic, and minority status of the children in care.
A background check is an integral part of assessment of the
				  family and shall include a screening for child abuse cases in the records of
				  the Department, a screening of Bureau of Motor Vehicle records, and criminal
				  history record information obtained from the Maine Criminal Justice Information
				  system and federal authorities.
Title 18-A M.R.S.A. §9 - 304 (a-2), authorizes the
				  Department to, at any time prior to the filing of the petition for adoption
				  request each prospective
adoptive
parent to submit to
				  having fingerprints taken for the purposes of obtaining national criminal
				  history record information.
State and federal criminal history record information may be
				  used by the Department for the purpose of screening prospective adoptive
				  parents at the time they make formal application to adopt. The information is
				  confidential and may not be disseminated outside the Department except to a
				  licensed agency conducting the home study assessment or a court where the
				  petition to adopt is filed.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 7 - RULES FOR THE AUTHORIZATION OF BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS › Section 148-7-2 - DEFINITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
As used in these rules, the following definitions shall
				  apply:
a. "Department" refers to the
				Department of Health and Human Services.
b. "Child" refers to a special needs child
				who is legally available for adoption and who is in the custody of the
				Department or a non-profit, private, licensed child placing agency with an
				adoption program in this State.
c.
				"Family" refers to any single person or married couple who wishes to apply for
				adoption or has applied for adoption.
d. "Applicant" refers to any individual or
				couple who has made application to adopt on forms provided by the Department
				and whose signature on said forms provides release for the process of
				background checks.
e. "Licensed
				child placing agency with an adoption program" is any agency, person, group of
				persons, organization, association or society licensed to operate in this state
				pursuant to 22 M.R.S.A. § 1671.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 7 - RULES FOR THE AUTHORIZATION OF BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS › Section 148-7-3 - PROCEDURES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
a. The Department shall, upon receipt of an
				application to adopt from any family or individual, conduct background checks
				for each perspective adoptive parent of a minor child in custody. The
				background check must include criminal history record information obtained from
				the Maine Criminal Justice Information System and the Federal Bureau of
				Investigation.
1. The criminal history record
				information from the Maine Criminal Justice Information System must include a
				record of Maine conviction data.
2.
				The criminal history record information obtained from the Federal Bureau of
				Investigation must include other state and national criminal history record
				information.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 7 - RULES FOR THE AUTHORIZATION OF BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS › Section 148-7-4 - EFFECTIVE DATE

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
July 2, 2006 (filing 2006-311)
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 7 - RULES FOR THE AUTHORIZATION OF BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS › Section 148-7-5 - AUTHORITY

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
18-A MRSA §9 - 304 (a-2)
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 10 - RULES FOR SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY CARE › Section 148-10-1 - Definitions

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. "Facility" means any placement resource
				providing shelter care for children which is licensed or approved in accordance
				with the pertinent laws, rules, and policy.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 10 - RULES FOR SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY CARE › Section 148-10-2 - Children who may be Served

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Any child in
				Maine who is, or appears to be
1. Abused,
				neglected or otherwise seriously endangered, or
2. A runaway from the care and custody of his
				parents.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 10 - RULES FOR SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY CARE › Section 148-10-4 - Onset of Short-Term Emergency Services

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Direct
				services to the child will begin as soon as the applicable provisions have been
				met regarding.
1. Acceptance by Child (Part
				5)
2. Notice to Parents (Part 6),
				and
3. If parent(s) are contacted,
				Consent of Parents (Part 7).
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 10 - RULES FOR SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY CARE › Section 148-10-5 - Acceptance by Child

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. It will be
				assumed that the child accepts the services if he is made aware of the
				available options and does not decline the services offered.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 10 - RULES FOR SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY CARE › Section 148-10-6 - Notice to Parent (s)

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Immediately upon
				receipt by the Department of a referral for services, information will be
				sought on the whereabouts of the parents.
B. Reasonable efforts will be made to contact
				the parent(s) by phone and/or at the place where the parent(s) may be found.
C. Contact with parent(s) may be
				delayed if available information indicates the safety of the child or other
				persons would be jeopardized by the parent(s)' or child's subsequent
				action.
D. When contacted, the
				parent(s) will be informed of the child's circumstances and requested to
				consent for the child to continue to receive emergency services, or to
				immediately resume care of the child.