S257 - Appropriations Act of 2017. (SL 2017-57)

Overview: Sec. 11B.7 of S.L. 2017-57 requires a one-year statewide demonstration project in accordance with S.L. 2015-51 requiring a custodial parent or other relative or person with primary custody of a child receiving child care subsidy payments to cooperate with the county child support service program as a condition of receiving child care subsidy payments.

• The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) and Division of Social Services (DSS) are required to implement the project beginning January 1, 2018, or 30 days from the date the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Care, approves the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) plan, whichever is later.
• DCDEE and DSS must conduct the demonstration project in at least three counties, but no more than six, that represent three regions of the State in both urban and rural settings. In selecting counties, DCDEE and DSS must: (i) consider the various methods counties employ in receiving and processing child care subsidy applications and (ii) compare data from the counties that participate in the demonstration project to counties that are similarly sized and situated that do not participate.
• Components of the project and factors for evaluating the project are outlined in the section.
• DCDEE and DSS are required to report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division no later than March 1, 2019, or if the plan is approved after January 1, 2018, no later than three months from the date the demonstration project is completed, whichever is later.

This section became effective July 1, 2017.