Agenda - 01-28-2010 - 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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9 • They are working; • They are in school or in a job training program; • Their child is receiving child protective services; • Their child needs care to support child welfare services or because the family is experiencing a crisis;or • The child has developmental delays. Waiting Lists and Priority Applicants If the county department of social services or other local purchasing agency does not have enough funding to serve all families who apply for subsidized child care,the agency may establish priorities for services. For example, an agency may choose to give priority to working parent(s) or to families who need child care to support child protective services. In Orange County,when insufficient funds are available to meet demand, a waiting list is implemented by the Department of Social Services. As funds become available,names are taken from the top of the waiting list for services. The following policy outlines the priority for payment when a waiting list is in place. The following children or cases will receive services and will not be subject to the waiting list: • Child Protective Services • Foster Care • Work First/Employment Services Participants • Teen Parents • Families residing in a homeless shelter • Existing/Active clients pursuing job search activities that exceed 60 days The following children or cases will receive services in this order and based on their date of application with each category: • Full-time employment • Part-time employment • Seeking employment for a maximum of six months • Education or training leading to employment • Children needing care for developmental needs Waiting List numbers periodically experience large fluctuations. The Division Of Child Development requires that people on the waiting list be surveyed at least every six months to determine if they are still in need of child care subsidy. People who fail to respond to the survey, or are no longer eligible for subsidy are deleted from the list. Historically there is a poor response to waiting list surveys. Families Currently Receiving Subsidies and Currently on the Waiting List In December of 2009,the Orange County Department of Social Services was serving over 700 children through the Child Care Subsidy Program. Although many families are receiving help to pay child care costs,there are currently 250 children eligible for Department of Social Services(DSS)subsidy that are unserved and waiting.