Self-Sufficiency Update - March 2019

March 15, 2019

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Key Highlights This Month:

Child Care Assistance Program

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 will 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.

A joint bulletin was published Nov. 20. See 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 working on Policy Manual changes to be published in April.
Substantial changes to the CCAP program have been included in the Governor’s budget proposal including changes to:

Implement 12-month continuous eligibility for all families, including those who move to counties with BSF waiting lists, who are not currently eligible for TY after MFIP closes but are in a county with a BSF waiting list, and children who age out during their 12 month-eligibility period.
Increase child care reimbursement rates to at least the 25^th percentile and tie on-going rate increases to the most recent market rate survey.
Create an expedited application pathway for families that are homeless that reduces verification and activity requirements for the first three months of care.
Establishes due process for child care providers
Clarifies and simplifies program integrity requirements and policies

Many of these changes are required for Minnesota to comply with federal law.

In addition, 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.

Child Support Program

Hennepin County will be piloting Kiosks that would be in county offices that would allow child support participants to make payments with cash or credit card. Other locations can be added if they meet the volume criteria set by the vendor.

Federal incentive take-back Statewide amount is $676,000. Contact Kristen Lorsung at DHS to find out the estimate our your county’s takeback amount.

The Work Number, free service, will remain in place for child support cases only.

Requested Actions Needed From MACSSA:

New Trends in This Area:

Issues/Concerns Regarding This Topic:

Legislative Impacts:

SF4 :

Counties met on 3/8 and 3/12 to discuss language changes to SF4. Agreement was reached that if language is included regarding income reporting it will only be for self-employment. DHS was on the 3/12 call and counties requested technical assistance for some suggestions on language within the bill. There is currently no companion bill in the house.

Supporting Materials:

Child Care Assistance Program

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 2017 Provider Profile (DHS-7819) (PDF), published January 2019
- OLA has released the report, Child Care Assistance Program: Assessment of Fraud Allegations.

Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program: State Fiscal Year 2018 Family Profile (DHS-6664F) (PDF), published January 2019

https://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/

Contact(s): Barb Dahl and Brad Thiel