(b)

1. (1) Child care will be guaranteed for the following children for whom the TEA participant exercises care and responsibility:

   1. (A) A child under the age of thirteen (13);
   2. (B) A child under the age of eighteen (18) who is physically or mentally unable to care for himself or herself as verified by a physician or a licensed/certified psychologist;
   3. (C) A child under the age of eighteen (18) who is under court-ordered supervision; and
   4. (D) A child under age eighteen (18) who would be required to be included in the TEA grant, if not for the receipt of Supplemental Security Income or foster care payments.

2. (2)

   1. (A) A child described above who is living in the home of the TEA participant and for whom he or she exercises care and responsibility will be covered by the childcare guarantee regardless of whether the child is included in the TEA cash assistance unit.
   2. (B) This includes “family cap” children.
3. (3) The age limits listed above apply to all eligible children where child care is paid by the Department of Human Services.
4. (4) Subdivisions (b)(1)(C) and (D) of this section must be verified by the participant by providing necessary proof to the Program Eligibility Specialist.

(c) Guidelines for payment of childcare services.

1. (1) Child care, including relative care, for TEA participants will be purchased from eligible providers through the Department of Human Services Child Care Certificate Program.

2. (2)

   1. (A) The county cap rate is the local market rate determined and established by the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education of the Department of Human Services.
   2. (B) The county cap rate is based on:

(i) An eight-to-ten-hour day of care; and

1. (ii) Established rates per child.

2. (3) The maximum absentee days that may be paid by TEA each trimester are as follows:

   1. (A) For the months of July through October – twelve (12) absentee days, not to exceed six (6) days in any month;
   2. (B) For the months of November through February – sixteen (16) absentee days, not to exceed eight (8) days in any month; and
   3. (C) For the months of March through June – twelve (12) absentee days, not to exceed six (6) in any month.
3. (4) In situations where care exceeding ten (10) hours per day is required, extended care will be provided.
4. (5) Note. Providers will not charge TEA participants for registration or activity fees.

5. (6) Childcare payments authorized to individuals providing care will be accomplished utilizing the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education Automated Child Day Care System.

   1. (d) Notifying the provider when services are changing/terminated.
6. (1) When childcare services change or terminate, the Program Eligibility Specialist will notify the provider of the change or termination via Form TEA-1404, Termination or Change of Service, within ten (10) days of the date the change or termination is determined.
7. (2) The Program Eligibility Specialist may advise the provider in person or by telephone in addition to the written notice.
8. (3) A copy of the TEA-1404, Termination or Change of Service, will be sent to the participant at the same time the form is sent to the provider.

(e) Deobligation of certificate.

1. (1) When it becomes necessary for the Program Eligibility Specialist to deobligate a certificate, the information will be given to appropriate personnel for processing.
2. (2) In all situations, the case narrative will be documented.