Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-19-.01
Pursuant to changes in the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C.S. §§9857 et seq,) the Alabama Department of Human Resources (the Department) is required to create and implement health and safety standards for all facilities that receive Child Care and Development Funds (CCDF) through the Child Care Subsidy Program. The primary change relates to the obligation to monitor health and safety standards in those facilities that receive CCDF funding. The guidelines in this manual are limited exclusively to facilities that receive CCDF funding and operate pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, § 38-7-2(4)(a), (b), and (c), provided that there are no children under the age of four years old, and also pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, § 38-7-2(4)(f).
These guidelines apply exclusively to facilities that do not care for children under the age of four years old. Any facility operating pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, § 38-7-2(4)(a), (b), and (c) that cares for children under the age of four years and receives CCDF through the Child Care Subsidy Program is subject to the provisions of the "Health and Safety Guidelines Requirements and Procedures for Facilities Participating in the Child Care Subsidy Program" and not the guidelines set forth herein.
Any facility operating pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, § 38-7-2(4)(f) is precluded by that subsection from caring for children under school age. Nothing in these guidelines shall be interpreted to mean that a facility operating pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, § 38-7-2(4)(f) can care for children under school age. Any facility purportedly operating under Code of Ala. 1975, § 38-7-2(4)(f) that has children under school age is a "Day Care Center" and must comply with "The Child Care Act of 1971" (Code of Ala. 1975, § 38-7-1 et. seq.) and all applicable standards. The law requires that states must certify to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care that they are in compliance with the regulations regarding the distribution of these funds. If a facility is not in compliance with the health and safety standards then that facility is ineligible to receive CCDF funds.
In order to be in compliance with these health and safety standards all facilities are required to comply with all State and Federal Laws. The violation of any State or Federal law in relation to the operation of this facility is a violation of health and safety standards.
Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-19-.01
Author: ShunDria M. Robinson
Statutory Authority: Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 (42 U.S.C.S. §§9857 et seq,).