Self-Sufficiency Update - February 2019
KEY HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS TOPIC/WORKGROUP FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH:
Child Care
• DHS plans to revise MN Rules, Chapter 3400, Child Care Fund. For more information, visit https://mn.gov/dhs/partners-and-providers/news-initiatives-reports-workgroups/child-care-and-early-education/ccap-rule-rev.jsp. If you have questions or comments regarding rule revision, email dhs.CCAPrule@state.mn.us.
• DHS intends to move forward with first quarter reallocation in 2019. There is a CCAP Policy Manual Chapter with information about the process. See CCAP Manual 16.33 BSF First Quarter Reallocation.
• DHS CCAP is working with MFIP staff to implement a change in counting the income for new spouses that passed in the 2017 legislative session. This change was effective Dec. 1, 2018. o A joint bulletin was published Nov. 20. See Bulletin #18-69-02 New Spouse Income Policy for Cash and Child Care Assistance Programs. o MEC² Temporary System Guidance was posted to SIR on Dec. 3.
• There have been numerous proposals introduced in the 2019 legislative session that would impact CCAP. The department is monitoring and analyzing proposals as they are introduced. The Governor intends to release his budget proposals this month and CCAP expects that there may be additional changes proposed that impact CCAP.
• DHS CCAP has recently updated and created documents for child care providers and families about the Child Care Assistance Program. Printed copies will be available soon. All documents are available on eDocs: o The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Provider Guide (DHS-5260) (PDF) has been updated. o Do You Need Help Paying for Child Care (DHS-3551) (PDF) has been updated. o The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Family Guide (DHS-3944) (PDF) is a new document developed for families who are eligible for child care assistance.
• DHS CCAP recently published two reports:
Child Support Recent and Upcoming Events
·The next Child Support Task Force meeting is on February 27 in St. Paul.
Upcoming Grants and RFPs
·The division is conducting its annual verification of security and permissions for its own staff and with county security officers to ensure individuals have appropriate access for their role.
Reports
· The division published its 2018 Minnesota Child Support Performance Report. The report highlights program performance, provides updates, and presents the most recent data including statewide and county performance for the five federal performance measures.
Success Stories
· Last year, the division implemented a new payment method using PayNearMe and MoneyGram, which allows parents to pay their child support in cash at retail locations across the country. PayNearMe began in January 2018 and MoneyGram started in June 2018. As of the end of January 2019, parents made nearly 3,200 child support payments using this method totaling nearly $1.1 million.
REQUESTED ACTIONS NEEDED FROM MACSSA IN THE NEXT MONTH:
APPARENT TRENDS IN THIS TOPIC AREA:
ISSUES/CONCERNS REGARDING THIS TOPIC THIS MONTH: LEGISLATIVE IMPACTS: BULLETINS, PUBLICATIONS, OR SUPPORTING :
MATERIALS TO BE INCLUDED WITH THIS UPDATE:
• See Bulletin #18-69-02 New Spouse Income Policy for Cash and Child Care Assistance Programs for changes that took effect December 1, 2018.
• The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Provider Guide (DHS-5260) (PDF) has been updated.
• Do You Need Help Paying for Child Care (DHS-3551) (PDF) has been updated.
• The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Family Guide (DHS-3944) (PDF) is a new document developed for families who are eligible for child care assistance.
• Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program: State Fiscal Year 2018 Family Profile (DHS-6664F) (PDF), published January 2019
• Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program: State Fiscal Year 2017 Provider Profile (DHS-7819) (PDF), published January 2019