Documentation of Need

18085.5

(a) Except as otherwise provided for in law, families who are eligible for subsidized early learning and care services shall document that each parent in the family, as defined in section 18078, meets at least one of the following need criterion, as specified in Education Code section 8263(a)(1)(B):

(1) The child(ren) is (are) a recipient(s) of child protective services, or identified as being abused, neglected, or exploited, or at risk thereof;

(2) The parent is employed;

(3) The parent is seeking employment;

(4) The family is experiencing homelessness;

(5) The family is seeking permanent housing for family stability;

(6) The parent is enrolled in vocational training;

(7) The parent is enrolled in an educational program;

(8) The parent is incapacitated.

(b) Subsidized early learning and care services shall only be available to the extent to which:

(1) The parent(s) meets a need criterion as specified in subsection (a) that precludes the provision of care and supervision of the family's child(ren) for any part of the day;

(2) There is no parent in the family available and capable of providing care for the family's child(ren) during the time care is requested; and

(3) Supervision of the family's child(ren) is(are) not otherwise being provided by:

(A) Scheduled time in a public educational program available to school-age child(ren);

(B) A private school in which the child(ren) is(are) enrolled and attending; or

(C) A time when a child(ren) is (are) receiving any other early learning and care services.

(c) At any time during the 12-month certification period, a parent may request an increase to the certified schedule based on provided documentation of need.

(d) At any time during the 12-month certification period, a parent may request to decrease the certified schedule. Requests for decrease in hours shall be provided in writing. In such a case, the contractor shall inform the family of the right to maintain the current certified schedule.

(e) A family may receive services based on more than one need criterion at any one time, provided that applicable documentation has been collected.

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 8261, 8263 and 8265, Education Code. Reference: Sections 8206, 8235, 8237, 8261 and 8263, Education Code.