OAR 414-150-0070: Overview of and Eligibility for Special Populations Child Care Services

(1) The Special Populations Child Care Services Program is established for specific low-income populations having demonstrable need for child care services. (2) Special Populations eligible for services include Teen Parent(s) and parent(s) receiving treatment for alcohol or drug abuse. (3) Teen Parents. To be eligible for services, the Teen Parent: (a) Must be attending high school or participating in an approved high school completion program sponsored by a local school district, community college, community-based non-profit, or certified private school, and the parent requires child care in order to attend and complete a program leading to a GED or high school diploma; (b) Must be attending a school-based or approved high school completion program that meets program standards approved by the Department under ORS 329A.500. (c) Must enroll eligible child(ren) in child care services provided by a facility certified or registered by the Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD), which is located on the same campus as the teen parent/child development program the teen parent is attending. (4) Parents receiving treatment for alcohol or drug abuse. To be eligible, the parent: (a) Must be enrolled in and have a diagnosis for treatment with a state-licensed or state-approved alcohol or drug abuse treatment program in order to receive subsidized child care services. (b) Child care services must be provided at the facility site where the parent is undergoing supervised treatment and counseling for substance abuse, or at a nearby facility under supervision of a state licensed or state-approved treatment program. (5) Child Care Services. For child care services, the following standards apply: (a) The child receiving services must meet the following conditions: (A) Be under 13 years of age or a child with Special Needs under 18 years of age. (B) Be a U.S. citizen or have legal immigration status. (b) Parental income must be at or below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level as published in the most recent Federal Register. (c) The child being placed for services is residing with a parent or parents who are either participating in an approved education program or participating in an alcohol or drug treatment program; (d) The parent making the application for services must reside in Oregon; (e) The determination of income shall be based on a review of all parental income for the preceding 30 calendar days prior to application for child care services. (f) Review and calculation of income for the Teen Parent shall be limited to the Teen Parent income only and not include income received by other members of the same household. (g) For the purpose of the child care subsidy, all Teen Parents are considered single parents regardless of marital status. Family size and income will be limited to the Teen Parent and their child(ren). (h) Parents eligible for child care services through the TANF JOBS program must access that program for services and do not qualify for the Special Populations child care services program.