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PSS amends child care program rules
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Posted on Jun 15 2004
The Public School System has amended its State Plan for the Child Care Program and submitted the proposed amendment to the regional office for their review and action, according to Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos.
The proposed amendment eliminates the requirement that at least one of the parents of the child must be a U.S. citizen to avail of the PSS’ child care program.
The amendment reflects federal law, which requires that only the citizenship and immigration status of the child—the primary beneficiary of the child care benefit—is considered relevant for eligibility purposes.
Inos said she is pleased that the federal government has provided a policy clarification stating that the information and policy clarification that they gave to PSS several years ago is no longer valid and requires modification. Accordingly, the PSS is amending the State Plan to reflect the policy clarification. Inos said this amendment should expand the pool of children who may be eligible for child care services.
The commissioner cautioned that parents must still meet the federal income eligibility guidelines and must be either working full time, going to school full time or attending full time job training.
She added that the Child Care Program is an economic mainstreaming program with subsidized child care, enabling the parent or parents to work full time or attend school or job training.
