reauthorization of the block grant for child care...
TRANSCRIPT
Reauthorization of the block grant for child care subsidies
Sarah Minton and Kathryn Stevens
Presentation for 2015 NAWRS Conference, August 25, 2015
How will state policies for access and quality
have to change?
In this presentation
• Introduction to the Child Care and Development Fund
• Overview of the new requirements under the Child Care and Development Block Grant
• Snapshot of state policies prior to reauthorization of the block grant
• Looking forward
Acknowledgments
• Data for this presentation come from the CCDF Policies Database, a project funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (HHS/ACF/OPRE).
• This analysis was completed using Urban Institute funds. It does not necessarily represent the views of the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders.
The Child Care and Development Fund
The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
• Largest source of child care subsidies for low-income families
• Part of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), a block grant funded with federal funding and state matching funding
• Not an entitlement program
The CCDF Policies Database
• The CCDF Policies Database is a longitudinal database of State/Territory CCDF Policies.
• Data are currently available from 2009 through 2013, with 2014 data to be released later this year.
• http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/research/project/child-care-and-development-fund-ccdf-policies-database-2008-2013
CCDF eligibility
• Federal Guidelines
• Family Income – up to 85 percent of state median income (SMI)
• Children’s Age – through age 12 or have special needs
• Reason for Care – parents working or have other need for care
• States establish detailed policies within the broad guidelines
Reauthorization of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG)
• The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 was signed into law in November of 2014.
• Prior to this, the program had not been reauthorized since 1996.
• The new law makes several changes to the program, including:
• Changes to family eligibility policies
• Changes to license-exempt provider requirements
Changes to Family Eligibility Policies
Redetermination and reporting requirements under reauthorization
Policy Before Reauthorization After Reauthorization
Redetermination Up to the State/Territory At least a 12-month eligibility period
Initial income limits Up to the State/Territory, with a cap of 85% SMI
Up to the State/Territory, with a cap of 85% SMI
Income limits to remain in the program during eligibility period
Up to the State/Territory, with a cap of 85% SMI
85% SMI
Redetermination and reporting requirements under reauthorization
• 12-month eligibility period
• Can require reporting of changes during 12 months
• Only allowed to end the subsidy in fewer than 12 months if:
Permanent exit from work, school, or training and unemployed for more than 3 months, or
Income goes over 85% SMI
• Encouraged to allow transition (if income <85% SMI)
• Must take into account irregular fluctuations in earnings
• Required by September 30, 2016
Redetermination periods prior to reauthorization (2013)
Redetermination period:
HI
AK
TX
CA
MT
AZ
ID
NV
NM
CO
OR
UT IL
WY
KS
IA NE
SD
MN
ND
OK
WI
FL
MO
WA
GA AL
MI
AR
IN
PA
LA
NY
NC
MS
TN
VA KY
OH
SC
WV
ME VT
NH
MD
NJ
MA
CT
DE
RI
DC
6 months
8 months
12 months
Maximum income eligibility limits for a three person family prior to reauthorization (2013)
Maximum income eligibility limit as a percentage of SMI*:
33 to 54%
55 to 64%
HI
AK
TX
CA
MT
AZ
ID
NV
NM
CO
OR
UT IL
WY
KS
IA NE
SD
MN
ND
OK
WI
FL
MO
WA
GA AL
MI
AR
IN
PA
LA
NY
NC
MS
TN
VA KY
OH
SC
WV
ME VT
NH
MD
NJ
MA
CT
DE
RI
DC
65 to 79%
80 to 85%
NA (Information not available.)
* Percentages may vary slightly depending on what source of SMI figures states use.
Job search policies under reauthorization
Policy Before Reauthorization After Reauthorization
Job Search Up to the State/Territory At least a 3-month job search period
Job search policies under reauthorization
• Job search of at least 3 months
• Required if state terminates assistance prior to 12 months
• For continuing eligibility
When a parent loses employment
When a parent stops attending a training or education program
• Required by September 30, 2016
Job search policies prior to reauthorization (2013)
If job search is an eligible activity:
HI
AK
TX
CA
MT
AZ
ID
NV
NM
CO
OR
UT IL
WY
KS
IA NE
SD
MN
ND
OK
WI
FL
MO
WA
GA AL
MI
AR
IN
PA
LA
NY*
NC
MS
TN
VA KY
OH
SC
WV
ME VT
NH
MD
NJ
MA
CT
DE
RI
DC
Yes, for initial and continuing eligibility
Yes, only for continuing eligibility
No
Changes to License-Exempt Provider Requirements
Policies for license-exempt providers under reauthorization
Policies Before Reauthorization After Reauthorization
Background checks Up to the State/Territory Comprehensive criminal background checks
Health and safety Up to the State/Territory Annual on-site inspections Training requirements
Policies for license-exempt providers under reauthorization, continued
• Background checks
• Comprehensive criminal background check for all child care staff members
• Health and safety requirements
• Annual inspections
• Pre-service and ongoing training requirements, must address health and safety topics
• Option to exempt relative caretakers
• Additional provider requirements
• Required by September 30, 2016 (except background checks – September 30, 2017)
Background checks prior to reauthorization (2013)
If there is a criminal history background check requirement:
Yes, for the provider and others
HI
AK
TX
CA
MT
AZ
ID
NV
NM
CO
OR
UT IL
WY
KS
IA NE
SD
MN
ND
OK
WI
FL
MO
WA
GA AL
MI
AR
IN
PA
LA
NY
NC*
MS
TN
VA KY
OH
SC
WV
ME VT
NH
MD
NJ
MA
CT
DE
RI
DC
Yes, for the provider only
No
NA
*Unregulated providers cannot provide care through the subsidy program.
Health and safety inspections prior to reauthorization (2013)
*Unregulated providers cannot provide care through the subsidy program. **This information is not in the state’s policy manual.
If providers are required to comply with a list of health and safety standards:
Yes, self-completed checklist
HI
AK
TX
CA
MT
AZ
ID
NV
NM
CO
OR
UT IL
WY
KS
IA NE
SD
MN
ND
OK
WI
FL
MO
WA
GA AL
MI
AR
IN
PA
LA
NY
NC*
MS
TN
VA KY
OH
SC
WV
ME VT
NH
MD
NJ
MA
CT
DE**
RI
DC
Yes, completed through home visit/inspection
No
NA
Looking Forward
How these policy changes might affect families
Family Situation Before Reauthorization After Reauthorization
A parent’s income increases above the state’s income eligibility thresholds, but below 85% SMI.
The family becomes ineligible for the program. The State/Territory may choose to provide a grace period.
The family remains in the program for the 12-month eligibility period (unless income increases again above 85% SMI).
A parent is on maternity leave from work.
The State/Territory may choose to provide care during the absence.
The family remains in the program for the 12-month eligibility period since it’s a temporary absence from employment.
A parent loses his or her job. The State/Territory may choose to provide a job search period. Otherwise, the family becomes ineligible for the program.
The family remains in the program for the 12-month eligibility period or is given at least a 3-month job search period.
How these policy changes might affect families, continued
• Work supports and continuity of care
• Longer eligibility periods
• No loss of subsidy for small increases in income
• Eligibility for job search
• Care that meets higher health and safety, as well as quality,
standards
Contact us
Sarah Minton, [email protected]
Kathryn Stevens, [email protected]
Special thanks to Lorraine Blatt, a Research Assistant at
the Urban Institute, for preparing the graphics for this
presentation.