Section 10.05 - Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA)-related Child Care ProgramSubject to appropriation, DTA may issue referrals for TAFDC and/or certain SNAP recipients, certain former TAFDC recipients, or any other DTA client seeking child care supported by financial assistance, to the extent allowed by state and federal law, through the DTA-related child care program, as described in 606 CMR 10.05(1) through (7). DTA referrals for child care supported by financial assistance shall be issued in accordance with the regulations, guidelines, and policies established by DTA and in accordance with 606 CMR 10.03, unless otherwise noted.
(1)Authorization. For any eligible parent seeking child care through the DTA-related child care program, DTA may issue a child care referral to the eligible parent based on the family's participation in the TAFDC, SNAP Pathways to Work, or DTA-related programs.(a)TAFDC and/or SNAP Families. Parents who currently receive TaFDC and/or SNAP and participate in a DTA-approved educational or employment-related activity may be issued a child care referral for priority access to child care supported by financial assistance for no less than 12 months, unless referral is for job development or placement, whereby a 12-week job search referral may be issued.(b)Transitional Families. Parents who have received TAFDC within the 24 months prior to their application for child care financial assistance and who obtain a child care referral from DTA will have priority access to child care financial assistance, provided they meet EEC eligibility guidelines as established in 606 CMR 10.03 and 10.04.(2)Referral. DTA shall issue parents a child care referral to the appropriate EEC Family Access Administrator. The family access administrator shall help the parents identify a child care educator/provider who can provide care supported by financial assistance as defined in 606 CMR 10.08.(3)Eligibility Criteria. Eligibility for child care financial assistance through the DTA related child care program shall be determined by DTA and verified by the Family Access Administrator based on the parent's DTA or TAFDC status, as described in 606 CMR 10.05(3)(a) and (b). (a)TAFDC Families. The child care referral is sufficient documentation that the parent is eligible for child care financial assistance for each child included in the referral. Family Access Administrators shall verify the identity of the parent(s) listed on the child care referral issued by DTA, in accordance with 606 CMR 10.03(1)(b). 1.Fee Assessment. TAFDC families with child care referrals who currently receive TAFDC benefits from DTA shall not be charged any parent fees. TAFDC families with child care referrals who currently receive TAFDC benefits from DTA shall be exempt from payment of explained absences exceeding 45 days in accordance with 606 CMR 10.03(10)(i) through the end of the eligibility period.2.Asset Limits. The asset requirements established in 606 CMR 10.04(2)(a)4. shall be waived for all families referred for child care financial assistance through the DTA-related child care program.(b)Transitional Families. The child care referral is evidence of family relationship for all children included in the referral. Family Access Administrators shall verify the identity of the parent(s) listed on the child care referral issued by DTA, in accordance with 606 CMR 10.03(1)(b).(c)Fee Assessment. Transitional child care authorizations shall not be assessed a parent fee during the initial 12-month transitional period in accordance with 606 CMR 10.03(2).(4)Eligibility Period. Family Access Administrators should approve child care based on the parent's DTA or TAFDC status, as described in 606 CMR 10.05(4)(a) through (d). (a)TAFDC Families. Family Access Administrators shall approve the child care financial assistance authorization based on the DTA referral, for no less than 12 months unless the referral is for job development or placement, whereby a 12-week job search referral may be authorized.(b)Transitional Families. Family Access Administrators shall approve the child care financial assistance authorization in accordance with 606 CMR 10.04(2)(b), not to exceed 12 months from the date the family's TAFDC case closed.(c)Notification. The Family Access Administrator shall notify families no fewer than two times, including at least once in writing, that their eligibility period is ending no fewer than 60 days prior to the end of the eligibility period.(5)Enrollment. Parents will enroll children directly at the child care educator/provider child care site in accordance with the procedures of the child care educator/provider.(6)Denial or Termination of Authorization. Parents aggrieved by DTA's denial or termination of a child care referral may pursue their grievance through the DTA Fair Hearing Process.(7)Continuity of Care. Parent(s) seeking to continue eligibility upon the end of the family's DTA-related child care program authorization or termination of transitional TAFDC care may continue to receive child care financial assistance through the income eligible child care program provided that the family meets the requirements set forth in 606 CMR 10.03 and 10.04.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1385, eff. 2/22/2019.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1505, eff. 9/29/2023.