CT SB00887

Establishes the Care 4 Kids child care subsidy program administered by the Commissioner of Social Services for families with a working parent or caretaker, or those receiving temporary family assistance and participating in approved education or job preparation activities, covering children under age 13 or under age 19 with special needs.

Sets income eligibility standards at up to 50% of state-wide median income, with authority to increase to 75% for certain circumstances, and allows income standard waivers for adoptive families and those losing temporary family assistance eligibility.

Requires the program to maintain a priority intake system favoring temporary family assistance recipients, working families, teen parents, and those at risk of welfare dependency, with a waiting list reviewed periodically and reported annually to the Governor and General Assembly.

Establishes minimum 8-month eligibility periods for approved applicants with eligibility redeterminations no more than once per 8-month period, and permits up to 6 weeks of continued payment eligibility for recipients taking unpaid leave due to birth or impending birth of a child.

Requires licensed and unlicensed child care providers to submit information to the Department of Social Services including provider identification, child's health information, immunization status, and number of children cared for in order to maintain reimbursement eligibility.