903 NH CHILD CARE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESSING TIME FRAME (FAM)

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The official application date is the date a signed application is received by the District Office.

If the applicant does not provide all required documentation at the time of application, supply the applicant with a list of the verification documents still required to determine eligibility. Inform applicants that they have 10 calendar days to provide all required verification. For expedited child care, inform applicants that they have 30 calendar days from the child care link start date to provide all required verification.

Generate a Notice of Decision to the individual as soon as an eligibility determination is made, but no later than 30 days after the official application date.

For expedited child care, a parent must identify a child care provider that is currently enrolled with the DHHS NH Child Care Scholarship program at the time of application. Allow the child care provider to be linked at application and within 30 calendar days without a Form 1863, Child Care Provider Verification. A completed Form 1863 must be returned within 30 calendar days. If a family is currently experiencing homelessness or has experienced homelessness within the past 92 calendar days,  require a self-declaration stating that the family is currently experiencing homelessness or was experiencing homelessness within the past 92 calendar days. The individual must also self-declare that they are currently participating in an employment, training or education,  job search activity, or a recipient of NHEP or FAP and participating in a mental health or substance misuse treatment program.

Families must arrange for child care with an enrolled child care provider within 30 calendar days from the official application date and return the completed  Form 1863, Child Care Provider Verification, to DHHS. A one-time additional 30 calendar day extension will be granted per application, as good cause. An additional 30 calendar days from the original closing date will be granted for the family to become linked to an enrolled child care provider. If the family fails to be linked by the additional 30^th day, child care will be denied, and the parent must reapply.

  The following reasons for good cause are:  

Note: If the Department made an error regarding the child care provider link, correct the error, and open child care, and if no Form 1863 was received, grant a one-time 30-day extension from the date the error is corrected.

The worker must verify a valid exception and request approval from a supervisor. The supervisor will review the case and determine if the case meets good cause criteria, The worker will be responsible for establishing the link when a Form 1863, Child Care Provider Verification is returned for an enrolled provider.

If the child care provider is not already enrolled, the enrollment forms may  be obtained from the DHHS, Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration Provider Enrollment Specialist.. It is recommended that the child care provider  submit all required forms to the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration  within 5 calendar days from the official application date.

References: He-C 6910.10(b),(c),(d), and (e), He-C 6910.11(m), RSA 167:79,V(b), RSA 167:82,VI, RSA 167:83,II, and II(c)(e)(m), RSA 167:83,I(b), 45 CFR 98.20