Documentation of Need: Educational Programs

18086.6

(a) If the basis of need as stated on the application for services is educational programs as defined in section 18078, early learning and care services shall be limited in total to six years from the initiation of services based on enrollment in educational programs.

(b) The parent shall obtain and provide to the contractor documentation of enrollment in an English Language Learner/English as a Second Language (ELL/ESL) program or a program to attain a high school diploma or General Education Degree/High School Equivalency (GED/HSE) certificate.

(c) The parent shall provide documentation of the days and hours of enrollment in an educational program, which shall include:

(1) The name of the institution that is providing the instruction;

(2) The parent's current class schedule that is either an electronic print-out from the educational program or, if unavailable, a document that includes all of the following:

(A) The classes in which the parent is currently enrolled;

(B) The days of the week and times of day of the classes; and

(C) A registration confirmation from the educational program.

(d) The contractor shall determine the days and hours needed per week based on the provided documentation.

(e) Online or televised instructional classes that are unit bearing classes from an accredited training institution shall be counted as class time at one hour a week for each unit. The parent shall provide a copy of the syllabus or other class documentation as applicable. The accrediting body of the training institution shall be among those recognized by the United States Department of Education.

(f) When the parent requests study time, travel time, or both, the contractor shall determine the amount of service time needed based on the documentation provided by the parent.

(1) Study time shall be determined based on the following:

(A) When the educational program, on-line, or televised instructional classes are based on academic units, study time is determined at two hours per week per academic unit in which the parent is enrolled. Additional time for studying may be approved by the contractor, on a case-by-case basis, if the parent provides a declaration signed under penalty of perjury as to why the additional time is needed for the specified course(s). Additional time, if approved, shall not exceed one hour per week per academic unit for the specified course(s) in which the parent is enrolled.

(B) When the educational program is not based on academic units, the contractor shall determine the hours approved for study time but in no case may the number of study hours exceed the number of class hours per week.

(2) Travel time shall be determined based on the location where the early learning and care services are provided and the location of the educational program, based on actual travel time needed, not to exceed a maximum of four hours per day.

(g) Pursuant to section 18082.3, a parent may voluntarily request changes at any time.

(h) At recertification, the continuation of services in an educational program is contingent upon the parent making adequate progress. To document adequate progress for the last enrolled quarter, semester, or training period, as applicable, the parent shall provide documentation from the educational program for which subsidized care is provided demonstrating the following:

(1) In a graded program, achievement of a minimum 2.0 grade point average for the last enrolled quarter, semester, or academic enrollment period; or

(2) In a non-graded program, passing the program's requirements in at least 50 percent of the classes or meeting the educational institution's standards for making adequate progress.

(i) If at recertification the parent has made adequate progress based on the provided documentation, the certified schedule may be established pursuant to subsections (b), (c), (d) and (e).

(j) If at recertification the parent has not made adequate progress pursuant to subsection

(h), the parent shall be recertified to receive services for another 12 months. At the conclusion of this 12-month certification period, the parent shall have made adequate progress pursuant to subsection (h) to be recertified for services based on enrollment in an educational program. If the parent has not made adequate progress pursuant to subsection (h), and cannot establish another basis of need for services, the family shall be:

(1) Disenrolled from services; and

(2) Once disenrolled, the parent shall be ineligible to be certified for services based on enrollment in educational programs for six months from the date of disenrollment.

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 8261 and 8263, Education Code. Reference: Sections 8261 and 8263, Education Code.