1. (a) Except for a child receiving or needing protective services as described in §809.49, for a child to be eligible to receive child care services, a Board shall ensure that the child:

   1. (1) meets one of the following age requirements:

      1. (A) be under 13 years of age; or
      2. (B) at the option of the Board, be a child with disabilities under 19 years of age;
   2. (2) is a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant as determined under applicable federal laws, regulations, and guidelines; and

   3. (3) resides with:

      1. (A) a family whose income does not exceed the income limit established by the Board, which income limit must not exceed 85% of the state median income for a family of the same size; and
      2. (B) parents who require child care in order to work or attend a job training or educational program.
2. (b) Notwithstanding the requirements set forth in subsection (c) of this section, a Board shall establish policies, including time limits, for the provision of child care services while the parent is attending an educational program.
3. (c) Time limits pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall ensure the provision of child care services for four years, if the eligible child's parent is enrolled in an associate's degree program that will prepare the parent for a job in a high-growth, high-demand occupation as determined by the Board.

4. (d) Unless otherwise subject to job search limitations as stipulated in this title, the following shall apply:

   1. (1) For child care funds allocated by the Commission pursuant to its allocation rules (generally, Chapter 800, General Administration, Subchapter B, Allocation and Funding, and specifically, §800.58 Child Care), an enrolled child may be eligible for child care services for four weeks within a federal fiscal year in order for the child's parent to search for work because of interruptions in the parent's employment.
   2. (2) For child care services funded by the Commission from sources other than those specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection, child care services during job search activities are limited to four weeks within a federal fiscal year.

Source Note:The provisions of this §809.41 adopted to be effective January 29, 2007, 32 TexReg 336; amended to be effective June 22, 2009, 34 TexReg 4197.