USVI Public Records

Document text

July 31, 2019 Policy Memorandum OCCRS 104-FY 2019 -Discontinuation of CCDF Subsidy Assistance Prior to the 12 Month Re-determination Issuing Authority: Michal Rhymer-Browne Assistant Commissioner Purpose: To identify the limited circumstances in which the Lead Agency DHS Office of Child Care and Regulatory Services may discontinue assistance prior to the next 12-month redetermination • Excessive unexplained absences despite multiple attempts by the Lead Agency or designated entity to contact the family and provider, including the prior notification of a possible discontinuation of assistance: o If after two successive months of 50% or less attendance by the child in each of those months, the Child Care Provider is expected to inform the Lead Agency. The Lead Agency will then ask the parent/guardian to come into the office for an interview. The parent/guardian will be informed of the 50% or less attendance by the child and will be given one (1) month to correct the attendance problem. If the absences continue at 50% or less during that month, the Child Care Subsidy will be terminated. • A change in residency outside of the territory for a non- temporary relocation. • Substantiated fraud or intentional program violations that invalidate prior determinations of eligibility: o Substantiated fraud or intentional program violation refers to an intentional act whereby a Parent/Legal Guardian knowingly and/or willfully gives false or misleading information, misrepresents, conceals or withholds fact with the intention of receiving child care benefits that should have not been eligible to receive. GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES Department of Human Services “Working Together to Make A Difference” OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER Policy Memorandum OCCRS 104-FY 2019 2 Discontinuation of CCDF Subsidy Assistance Prior to 12 Month Redetermination o For a Parent/Legal Guardian aka Clients: Intentional Program Violations include but are not limited to intentionally receiving child care benefits for a child, whose other biological parent is residing in the same household, and is not working or attending ay activity; Intentionally providing false information, to be considered a priority needs in an attempt to receive expedited child care benefits; Intentionally using vouchers to hold a space for a child until the child is ready to attend the facility; and Intentionally refusing to provide required documents at the three month waiver period for special priority groups. o For Providers: Intentional Program Violations include but are not limited to - Intentionally accepting children over the licensing requirements; Intentionally accepting vouchers for a child who is not attending the child care facility and receiving services to include infant/toddler care, preschool, afterschool, aftercare, or summer program; Intentionally receiving vouchers without a valid license; Intentionally refusing to provide required requested documents; Intentionally accepting a child in an over capacitated facility or informal aka Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN setting); Intentionally verbally expressing or physically exhibiting physical mistreatment or abuse in the presence or close proximity of children in care and/or to children in care; Provider lives in the same household of child/ren in care; Intentionally endangering the health and safety of a child; and Intentionally caring for more children in an FFN setting than is allowed at any given time.