Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 218 - Department of Human Services › Chapter 20 - Individual and Family Support Programs › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 4 - Child Care Assistance Program Rules and Regulations › Section 218-RICR-20-00-4.7 - Short Term Special Approval

Current through June 14, 2024
4.7.1
Criteria for Short Term Special Approval
A. In a limited range of circumstances,
				  families who are not eligible at recertification for the CCAP based on
				  categorical or income eligibility criteria related to employment plan or work
				  requirements may be approved for Short Term Special Approval (SSACC) Child Care
				  Assistance.
1. SSACC may be approved for
				  instances when there is documented evidence indicating that either the child
				  (child-based SSACC) or the parent (parent-based SSACC) has a serious health
				  condition that constitutes a temporary "special" need for services based on the
				  inability of the parent to provide the necessary level or kind of child
				  care.
2. When applying for SSACC
				  services, the available countable income of the financial unit shall be used in
				  determining an applicant's eligibility.
3. Determinations of requests for child-based
				  SSACC shall be made, on a case-by-case basis.
4. The criteria for approval of SSACC for
				  income and categorically eligible CCAP families differ, as specified below:
a. SSACC Criteria for Income Eligible
				  Families.
(1) When the requirements of this
				  Subsection have been met, SSACC may be approved for otherwise income eligible
				  families who no longer meet the need for services requirement established in
				  §
														4.8.1   of this Part due to a change in the employment status of the
				  parent(s).
(2) As such, requests
				  for SSACC shall only be considered for income eligible families who have been
				  receiving authorized CCAP services and have lost or are in jeopardy of losing
				  them because of the change in the need for services.
b. For approval of child-based SSACC in an
				  income eligible family, there must be documented evidence that, although the
				  parent's employment no longer meets the need for services requirement, the
				  continuation of authorized CCAP services is necessary for the health and
				  wellbeing of the eligible child.
(1) In the
				  case of a TFD family, it is understood that school attendance can replace the
				  work hours needed for eligibility. The determination of whether a continuation
				  of the CCAP authorized care is warranted, and as such constitutes a special
				  need for services, shall be based on a CEDARR (Comprehensive Evaluation,
				  Diagnosis, Assessment, Referral and Re-evaluation) of the eligible child.
				  Accordingly, child-based SSACC for an income eligible family shall only be
				  approved when:
(AA) There is a special need
				  for services based on a CEDARR finding that the discontinuation of the CCAP
				  services will have a direct adverse effect on the eligible child's health and
				  well-being and all other income eligibility requirements have been
				  met.
c. For
				  approval of parent-based SSACC in an income eligible family, there must be
				  documented evidence from a qualified health care provider or practitioner that
				  the health condition of the parent prohibits both employment and the routine
				  child care activities necessary to maintain the health and safety of the child.
(1) The special need for services is the
				  result of a change in the parent's health status that temporarily prevents the
				  parent from meeting the work requirements in §
														4.6   of this Part.
(2) A parent hospitalized as a result of an
				  acute illness or condition, or bedridden while recovering from an illness or
				  condition for a limited period may receive partial or full payment of child
				  care expenses until able to resume employment subject to the general
				  restrictions of this Subsection.
d. SSACC may be approved for categorically
				  eligible families who have not met their RI Works employment plan requirements
				  or who do not have a signed employment plan when the condition or health of the
				  child or parent constitutes a special need for services.
(1) For approval of child-based SSACC for
				  categorically eligible families, the special need for services must be
				  established by either:
(AA) Documented
				  evidence from a physician, qualified licensed health practitioner, program,
				  facility or responsible government authority, that the child has a serious
				  health condition that is not currently being treated or accommodated either
				  because access to an appropriate program that meets the child's special needs
				  has been denied or delayed, or is unavailable. Payment of child care expenses
				  shall be provided under such circumstances while permanent placement in an
				  appropriate program for the child is being arranged or located; or
(BB) A CEDARR finding that the continuation
				  of the CCAP authorized services is necessary for the health and wellbeing of
				  the eligible child.
(2)
				  For approval of parent-based SSACC for categorically eligible families,
				  documented evidence must be provided from a qualified licensed health care
				  practitioner, program, facility or responsible government authority indicating:
(AA) The disorder or impairment of the parent
				  poses a serious barrier to appropriate child care/rearing. Payment for the CCAP
				  authorized child care may be made while the parent is participating in an
				  appropriate remediation or rehabilitation protocol, such as substance abuse
				  treatment, parenting skills training, therapy or counseling, that will lead to
				  the alleviation of the need for services. In such cases, the DHS may require
				  the applicant to provide documentation of a family assessment, conducted by a
				  qualified provider, when evaluating the need for SSACC services. However, in no
				  instance shall the DHS authorization of SSACC for a categorically eligible
				  child include, or otherwise be based upon, an assessment of whether the parent
				  can successfully complete the remediation/rehabilitation protocol; or
(BB) The health condition of the parent both
				  prohibits employment or participation in a RI Works employment plan and routine
				  child care activities necessary to maintain the health and safety of the child.
				  A parent hospitalized as a result of an acute illness or condition, or
				  bedridden while recovering from an illness or condition for a limited period,
				  may be eligible to receive partial or full payment of child care expenses until
				  able to resume employment, subject to the general restrictions of this
				  Subsection.