Documentation of Need: Vocational Training

18087

(a) If the basis of need as stated on the application for services is vocational training as defined in section 18078, early learning and care services shall be limited in total, to whichever occurs first:

(1) Six years from the initiation of services based on need for vocational training; or

(2) Twenty-four semester units, or the equivalent, after the attainment of a Bachelor's Degree.

(b) The service limitations specified in subsection (a) shall not apply in the following instances:

(1) When a parent is receiving services from a program operating pursuant to Education Code section 66060;

(2) When a parent is attending vocational training and is participating in rehabilitation services through the California Department of Rehabilitation; or

(3) When a parent is attending retraining services available through the California Employment Development Department or its contractors due to a business closure or mass layoff.

(c) The parent shall provide documentation of the days and hours of vocational training, which shall include:

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

(2) The parent's current class schedule that is either an electronic print-out from the training institution 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) The signature or stamp of the training institution's registrar.

(d) The contractor shall determine the days and hours needed per week based on the provided documentation. The contractor may request that the parent provide additional information from the training institution describing the classes.

(e) On-line 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 a 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 by the following:

(A) When the vocational training, 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 vocational training is not based on academic units, the contractor shall determine the hours approved for study time but in no case may the 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 training location, of the vocational 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 for vocational training 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 college classes, technical school, or apprenticeship 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 training institution's standard 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 (c) and (d).

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

(h), the parent shall be recertified for 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). 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 vocational training for six months from the date of disenrollment.

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