This letter establishes the procedure for waiving an increase in the copayment when a caretaker parent is receiving subsidized child care services, is called to active military duty as a result of "Operation Enduring Freedom" and the child's substitute caretaker is in need of child care due to employment, training and/or education activities.

For families in this circumstance, eligibility will continue for a six month period, with the copayment remaining at the amount in place at the time of the caretaker parent's departure to active military duty. This will allow time for families to establish sending military pay home to the child's substitute caretaker. This will also allow continuity of care for a child during an otherwise turbulent time.

In recognition of the events that occurred on September 11, 2001, and subsequent military activities, the following waiver to the current child care policy will support consistency to children and families faced with financial, emotional and parental disruption during a period of war:

The procedure is as follows:

1.Document the continuing need for child care, based on the substitute caretaker's employment, training and/or education activities. Child care benefits will be continued, based on the needs of the substitute caretaker's schedule.

2.Authorize the copayment to remain at the amount in place at the time of the caretaker parent's departure to active military duty.

3.The copayment will remain unchanged for a six month waiver period beginning on the date of the caretaker parent's departure from the home.

4.If a redetermination is due during this six month waiver period, the eligibility determiner shall require the substitute caretaker to complete a JFS 01138, "Application for Child Care Benefits" and the eligibility determiner will make any necessary changes in the family's information, except for the amount of the copayment.

5.When the caretaker parent that left for active military duty returns, the case must be scheduled for review or redetermination, whichever is appropriate.

6.Counties will be required to flag the case for review at the end of the six month waiver period and make any changes to the copayment based on income and family composition.

Counties will review any child care case that may qualify for this exception beginning on September 11, 2001 and determine eligibility.

Considering the current child care funding concerns, this waiver to rule 5101:2-16-39 will only be provided to a parent who was enlisted as of September 11, 2001 and is currently receiving subsidized child care. The family must be disrupted as a direct result of the parent being called to active military duty under "Operation Enduring Freedom," and deployed to a location that requires the caretaker parent to live outside of the home. There must be a documented need for child care services because of employment, education or training activities of the substitute caretaker.

This waiver is not available for a caretaker who voluntarily enlists in the military or who voluntarily changes their military status from reserve to active duty.

This policy will be in place until the end of "Operation Enduring Freedom," at which time a directive will be sent to all CDJFS to stop allowing the waiver procedures for the child care program.

If you have any questions regarding these procedures, please contact County Technical Support at (614) 466-7762.