CT SB00391

Establishes the Commissioner of Social Services authority to operate the Care 4 Kids child care subsidy program for families with working parents, high school students, or temporary family assistance recipients engaged in approved activities, serving children under age 13 or under age 19 with special needs.

Requires the department to provide 30 days' written and web notice before closing enrollment, changing eligibility requirements, or modifying program benefits, with changes not effective until 30 days after notice is issued.

Sets income eligibility standards at up to 50% of state-wide median income, with commissioner authority to increase to 75% or waive standards for adoptive families and families who lost temporary family assistance eligibility.

Mandates eligibility redeterminations on an eight-month basis beginning January 1, 2011, with authority to revert to six-month redeterminations if overpayments increase compared to 2010 levels, contingent on a commissioner report due October 15, 2011.

Establishes program standards including priority intake systems favoring temporary family assistance recipients, health and safety standards for providers, sliding reimbursement scales, extended eligibility during temporary employment interruption, and annual waiting list reporting to the Governor and General Assembly.