Self-Sufficiency Update - June 2019

Key Highlights This Month:   

• The Office of Legislative Auditor released the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program Assessment of Fraud Allegations report and Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program Assessment of Internal Controls. Both reports are available on the OLA website.

• 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 CCAP hosted a video conference on June 6^th for the 2020-2021 County and Tribal Child Care Fund Plan. Fund plans will be due to DHS by September. The video conference is posted online at:
  • http://stream5.video.state.mn.us:8080/MNIT/_Child_Care_Fund_Plan_Review_06-06-19.html    
  • http://stream5.video.mn.gov/MNIT/_Child_Care_Fund_Plan_Review_06-06-19.html        

• 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.
  • A joint bulletin was published Nov. 20, 2018. A corrected bulletin was published in June 2019. See Corrected Bulletin #18-69-02 New Spouse Income Policy for Cash and Child Care Assistance Programs.
  • MEC² Temporary System Guidance was posted to SIR on Dec. 3.

• DHS CCAP is seeking feedback on topics that CCAP workers would like training on to help guide DHS CCAP in creating training content for the next round of in-person trainings tentatively scheduled for August and September 2019. The survey is open until Friday June 14, 2019.
  • The Survey can be completed at http://surveys.dhs.state.mn.us/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=155871173680.

• DHS CCAP recommends agencies review the guidance in the CCAP Redetermination Processing Guidance Memo issued 8/10/2018. The memo will be reviewed at the June Mentor meeting. The redetermination guidance in the memo can help workers with policy and system issues that are common around redetermination processing.
• See CCAP Redetermination Processing Guidance, Version 2 Memo 8/10/18
  

Requested Actions Needed From MACSSA:  DHS CCAP would like to convene a county worker advisory group to support business requirements development and validation of upcoming systems changes, provide feedback on tools and resources to implement new policies, and share ideas of other innovations to streamline and simplify local service delivery. We are looking for 10-12 members from a variety of local agencies including urban, suburban and rural Minnesota counties. Ideally this group would include ground-level workers who interact with clients and the system daily. Meetings will occur every 4-8 weeks starting in August. Workgroup names should be submitted to Nicole Frethem at nicole.j.frethem@state.mn.us.

New Trends in This Area:  

Issues/Concerns Regarding This Topic:  

Legislative Impacts:  

Substantial changes to the CCAP program were passed this legislative session, including changes to:

• Implement 12-month continuous eligibility for all families, including those who move to counties with BSF waiting lists (12/2019), who are not currently eligible for Transition Year child care after MFIP closes (03/2020), and children who age out during their 12 month-eligibility period (06/2020).
• Create an expedited application process for families that are homeless that reduces verification and activity requirements for the first three months. (09/2020)
• Establish due process for child care providers (02/2021)
• Clarify and strengthen program integrity requirements and policies (most effective 07/2019)

Many of these changes are required for Minnesota to comply with federal law. Changes to provider reimbursement rates did not pass this legislative session. If rates are not increased to at least the 25^th percentile by Sept. 30, 2020, Minnesota may face federal penalties for non-compliance.

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