Proposed cap on subsidy payments for children with special needs in order to bring consistency to such payments and to permit programmatic oversight of costs.

I urge you to not adopt this proposal and maintain current payment rates for subsidy for children with special needs. Child care for children with special needs is in limited supply and very difficult for families to find. This care is more expensive to provide, and early childhood programs are doing what they can to make ends meet while serving the families who need them.

Proposed six year limit on receipt of child care subsidy. “A change to limit the time families may receive subsidized child care will permit more eligible families who are on a waiting list to be served.”

I urge you to continue the current policy of allowing a locality the option of imposing a time limit, instead of making six years the statewide mandate. There are working families in Northern Virginia whose income does not increase sufficiently over time – even over a six-year period - to enable them to afford the cost of care in this area.  For families with more than one young child, this limit will not cover the years prior to school entry. 

Proposed requirement that families register/cooperate with DCSE. 

I urge you to “encourage” families to register with DCSE, instead of making this a condition of eligibility for child care assistance. The proposed requirement will actually discourage families from applying for the subsidized child care services they need in order to work and pay for child care.  And without access to affordable, reliable child care parents put their employment at risk.   

Proposed requirement that applicants for subsidized child care must be 18 years of age. 

I urge you to not adopt this proposal. Child care subsidies enable teen parents to complete their high school education and enter the workforce.  These young parents are particularly vulnerable and the child care subsidy is a key component of the safety net needed to ensure that they and their children are safe and Ill.  Children who do not complete high school are less likely to be a part of the educated and skilled workforce that our state needs now and in the future. 

Proposing removal of approved alternate fee scales and proposing that a state-wide sliding fee scale be established.

I urge you to amend the proposed regulations to continue to allow the use of alternate fee scales would better ensure that localities are able to meet the needs of families in their communities. Current child care regulations authorize the state to approve local alternate fee scales as Ill as impose a state-wide sliding fee scale for all families enrolled in the subsidized child care program.