Exhibit_D_-_Arizona_CCDF_State_Plan.pdf

Michael Wisehart, Director Arizona Department of Economic Security (ADES) 1789 West Jefferson Street Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Dear Director Wisehart:

The Office of Child Care has completed its review of the proposed amendments to Arizona's approved Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan for FFY 2025- 2027, submitted on December 06, 2024.

This letter is to inform you that the following CCDF Plan amendments were approved.

Eligibility and Enrollment: Reducing Barriers to Enrollment

• Plan Question 2.1.1a. Eligibility practices used to reduce barriers at time of initial eligibility determination. Amended to reflect changes that affect CCDF administration, procedures, and/or policies that affect parents and/or providers access to the program, effective 8/1/2024.

Equal Access: Payment Rates

• Plan Question 4.3.1b. Effective date of current payment rates. Amended to reflect changes that affect CCDF administration, procedures, and/or policies that affect parents and/or providers access to the program, effective 8/1/2024.

Program Integrity: Fraud Investigation, Payment Recovery, and Sanctions

• Plan Question 10.2.1. Strategies used to identify and prevent program violations.

Amended to reflect change in CCDF Lead Agency or responsible agency/entity who is administering CCDF activity, effective 8/1/2024.

Please note the following amended Plan questions were complete.

• Plan Question 1.1.2a. CCDF Administrator contact information:. Amended to reflect change in CCDF Lead Agency or responsible agency/entity who is administering CCDF activity, effective 8/1/2024.

• Plan Question 1.1.2b. CCDF Co-Administrator contact information (if applicable):.

Amended to reflect change in CCDF Lead Agency or responsible agency/entity who is administering CCDF activity, effective 8/1/2024.

330 C Street, S.W., Washington DC 20201 | www.acf.hhs.gov

Page 2 – Michael Wisehart, Director

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact Christina Warren, Child Care Program Manager in our Region IX Regional Office at

(415) 437-8450 and christina.warren@acf.hhs.gov.

We appreciate your efforts to meet the child care needs of eligible families in Arizona and look forward to our continued partnership in the administration of your Child Care and Development Fund Program.

Sincerely, Digitally signed by ANNE-MARIE TWOHIE Date: 3/26/2025 1:19 PM EDT

Anne-Marie Twohie Acting Director Office of Child Care cc: Stacy Reinstein, Deputy Assistant Director Michelle Genaro, Senior Administrator Christina Warren, OCC Regional Program Manager, Region IX Rebecca Shaw, Program Operations Liaison, Office of Child Care

1 | P a g e FFY 2025–2027 CCDF State Plan

OMB Control No: 0970-0114

Expiration date: 03/31/2027

THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT OF 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13)

The purpose of this information collection is the application for CCDF funds and provides ACF and the public with a description of, and assurance about, the States’ and Territories’ child care programs. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 150 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering, and maintaining the data needed, and completing the form. This is a mandatory collection of information (Pub. L. 113–186), and 42 U.S.C. 9858.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB # is 0970-0114 and the expiration date is 03/31/2027. If you have any comments on this collection of information, please contact ACF’s Office of Child Care.

Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan for State/Territory Arizona

FFY 2025 – 2027

Version: Amendment 1

Plan Status: Approved as of 2025-03-26 17:21:03 GMT

This Plan describes the Child Care and Development Fund program to be administered by the State or Territory for the period from 10/01/2024 to 9/30/2027, as provided for in the applicable statutes and regulations. The Lead Agency has the flexibility to modify this program at any time, including amending the options selected or described.

For purposes of simplicity and clarity, the specific provisions of applicable laws printed herein are sometimes paraphrases of, or excerpts and incomplete quotations from, the full text. The Lead Agency acknowledges its responsibility to adhere to the applicable laws regardless of these modifications.

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Table of Contents

Overview

1 CCDF Program Administration

1.1 CCDF Leadership

1.2 CCDF Policy Decision Authority

1.3 Consultation in the Development of the CCDF Plan

2 Child and Family Eligibility and Enrollment and Continuity of Care

2.1 Reducing Barriers to Family Enrollment and Redetermination

2.2 Eligible Children and Families

2.3 Prioritizing Services for Vulnerable Children and Families

2.4 Lead Agency Outreach to Families Experiencing Homelessness, Families with Limited English

Proficiency, and Persons with Disabilities

2.5 Promoting Continuity of Care

3 Child Care Affordability

3.1 Family Co-payments

3.2 Calculation of Co-Payment

3.3 Waiving Family Co-payment

4 Parental Choice, Equal Access, Payment Rates, and Payment Practices

4.1 Access to Full Range of Provider Options

4.2 Assess Market Rates and Analyze the Cost of Child Care

4.3 Adequate Payment Rates

4.4 Payment Practices to Providers

4.5 Supply Building

5 Health and Safety of Child Care Settings

5.1 Licensing Requirements

5.2 Ratios, Group Size, and Qualifications for CCDF Providers

5.3 Health and Safety Standards for CCDF Providers

5.4 Pre-Service or Orientation Training on Health and Safety Standards

5.5 Monitoring and Enforcement of Licensing and Health and Safety Requirements

5.6 Ongoing Health and Safety Training

5.7 Comprehensive Background Checks

5.8 Exemptions for Relative Providers

6 Support for a Skilled, Qualified, and Compensated Child Care Workforce

6.1 Supporting the Child Care Workforce

6.2 Professional Development Framework

6.3 Ongoing Training and Professional Development

6.4 Early Learning and Developmental Guidelines

7 Quality Improvement Activities

7.1 Quality Activities Needs Assessment

7.2 Use of Quality Set-Aside Funds

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8 Lead Agency Coordination and Partnerships to Support Service Delivery

8.1 Coordination with Partners to Expand Accessibility and Continuity of Care

8.2 Optional Use of Combined Funds, CCDF Matching, and Maintenance-of-Effort Funds

8.3 Coordination with Child Care Resource and Referral Systems

8.4 Public-Private Partnerships

8.5 Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan

9 Family Outreach and Consumer Education

9.1 Parental Complaint Process

9.2 Consumer Education Website

9.3 Increasing Engagement and Access to Information

9.4 Providing Information on Developmental Screenings

10 Program Integrity and Accountability

10.1 Effective Internal Controls

10.2 Fraud Investigation, Payment Recovery, and Sanctions

Appendix 1: Lead Agency Implementation Plan Appendix 1: Form

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Overview

Introduction

The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG) (42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.), together with section 418 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 618), authorize the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), the primary federal funding source devoted to supporting families with low incomes afford child care and increasing the quality of child care for all children. The CCDF program is administered by the Office of Child Care (OCC) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and provides resources to State, Territory, and Tribal governments via their designated CCDF Lead Agency.

CCDF plays a vital role in supporting family well-being and child development; facilitating parental employment, training, and education; improving the economic well-being of participating families; and promoting safe high-quality care and learning environments for children when out of their parents’ care.

As required by CCDBG, this CCDF Plan serves as the State/Territory Lead Agency’s application for a three-year cycle of CCDF funds and is the primary mechanism OCC uses to determine Lead Agency compliance with the requirements of the statute and regulations. CCDF Lead Agencies must comply with the rules set forth in CCDBG and corresponding ACF-issued rules and regulations. The CCDF Plan is a fundamental part of OCC’s oversight of CCDF and is designed to align with and complement other oversight mechanisms including administrative and financial data reporting, the monitoring process, error rate reporting, audits, and the annual Quality Progress Report.

Organization of Plan

In their CCDF Plans, State/Territory Lead Agencies must describe how they implement the CCDF program. The Plan is organized into the following sections:

1. CCDF Program Administration

2. Child and Family Eligibility and Enrollment and Continuity of Care

3. Child Care Affordability

4. Parental Choice, Equal Access, Payment Rates, and Payment Practices

5. Health and Safety of Child Care Settings

6. Support for a Skilled, Qualified, and Compensated Child Care Workforce

7. Quality Improvement Activities

8. Lead Agency Coordination and Partnerships to Support Service Delivery

9. Family Outreach and Consumer Education

10. Program Integrity and Accountability

Completing the Plan

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This revised Plan aims to capture the most accurate and up-to-date information about how a State/Territory is implementing its CCDF program in compliance with the requirements of CCDF.

In responding to plan questions, Lead Agencies should provide concise and specific summaries and/or bullet points as appropriate to the question. Do not insert tables or charts, add attachments, or copy manuals into the Plan. A State/Territory’s CCDF Plan is intended to stand on its own with sufficient information to describe how the Lead Agency is implementing its CCDF program without need for added attachments, tables, charts, or State manuals.

OCC recognizes that Lead Agencies use different mechanisms to establish CCDF policies, such as State statute, regulations, administrative rules, policy manuals, or policy issuances. Lead Agencies must submit their CCDF Plan no later than July 1, 2024.

Review and Amendment Process

OCC will review submitted CCDF Plans for completeness and compliance with federal policies.

Each Lead Agency will receive a letter approximately 90 days after the Plan is due that includes all Plan non-compliances to be addressed. OCC recognizes that Lead Agencies continue to modify and adapt their programs to address evolving needs and priorities. Lead Agencies must submit amendments to their Plans as they make substantial policy and program changes during the three-year plan cycle, including when addressing non-compliances.

Appendix 1: Implementation Plan

As part of the Plan review process, if OCC identifies any CCDF requirements that are not fully implemented, OCC will communicate a preliminary notice of non-compliance for those requirements via an emailed letter. OCC has created a standardized template for Lead Agencies to submit as their 60-day response to that preliminary notice. This template is found at Appendix 1: Lead Agency Implementation Plan. This required response via the Appendix will help create a shared understanding between OCC and the Lead Agency on which elements of a requirement are unmet, how they are unmet, and the Lead Agency’s steps and associated timelines needed to fully implement those unmet elements.

CCDF Plan Submission

CCDF Lead Agencies will submit their Plans electronically through the Child Care Automated Reporting System (CARS). CARS will include all language and questions included in the final CCDF Plan template approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Note that the format of the questions in CARS could be modified from the Word version of the document to ensure compliance with Section 508 policies regarding accessibility to electronic and information technology for individuals with disabilities.

1 CCDF Program Administration

Strong organizational structures, operational capacity, and partnerships position States and Territories to administer CCDF efficiently, effectively, and collaboratively.

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This section identifies the CCDF Lead Agency, CCDF Lead Agency leadership, and the entities and individuals who will participate in the implementation of the program. It also identifies the partners who were consulted to develop the Plan.

1.1 CCDF Leadership

The governor of a State or Territory must designate an agency (which may be an appropriate collaborative agency) or establish a joint interagency office to represent the State or Territory as the Lead Agency. The Lead Agency agrees to administer the program in accordance with applicable federal laws and regulations and the provisions of this Plan, including the assurances and certifications.

1.1.1 Designated Lead Agency

Identify the Lead Agency or joint interagency office designated by the State or Territory. OCC will send official grant correspondence, such as grant awards, grant adjustments, Plan approvals, and disallowance notifications, to the designated contact identified here.

a. Lead Agency or Joint Interagency Office Information:

i. Name of Lead Agency: Arizona Department of Economic Security (ADES)

ii. Street Address: 1789 West Jefferson Street

iii. City: Phoenix

iv. State: Arizona

v. ZIP Code: 85007

vi. Web Address for Lead Agency: https://des.az.gov/services/child-and-family/child-care

b. Lead Agency or Joint Interagency Official contact information:

i. Lead Agency Official First Name: Michael

ii. Lead Agency Official Last Name: Wisehart

iii. Title: Director

iv. Phone Number: (602) 542-5757

v. Email Address: director@azdes.gov

1.1.2 CCDF Administrator

Identify the CCDF Administrator designated by the Lead Agency, the day-to-day contact, or the person with responsibility for administering the State’s or Territory’s CCDF program. The OCC will send programmatic communications, such as program announcements, program instructions, and data collection instructions, to the designated contact identified here. If there is more than one designated contact with equal or shared responsibility for administering the CCDF program, identify the Co-Administrator or the person with administrative responsibilities and include their contact information.

a. CCDF Administrator contact information:

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i. CCDF Administrator First Name: Stacy

ii. CCDF Administrator Last Name: Reinstein

iii. Title of the CCDF Administrator: Deputy Assistant Director

iv. Phone Number: (480) 662-8978

v. Email Address: stacyreinstein@azdes.gov

b. CCDF Co-Administrator contact information (if applicable):

i. CCDF Co-Administrator First Name: Michelle

ii. CCDF Co-Administrator Last Name: Genaro

iii. Title of the CCDF Co-Administrator: Senior Administrator

iv. Phone Number: (480) 273-6804

v. Email Address: mgenaro@azdes.gov

vi. Description of the Role of the Co-Administrator: Co-Administrator serves as the liaison with the federal Office of Child Care (OCC) and for the Child and Community Services Division (CCSD) when required items must be completed, including State Plan Amendments, and analysis for new proposed rule changes at the State and Federal level.

1.2 CCDF Policy Decision Authority

The Lead Agency has broad authority to administer (i.e., establish rules) and operate (i.e., implement activities) the CCDF program through other governmental, non-governmental, or public or private local agencies as long as the Lead Agency retains overall responsibility for the administration of the program. Administrative and implementation responsibilities undertaken by agencies other than the Lead Agency must be governed by written agreements that specify the mutual roles and responsibilities of the Lead Agency and other agencies in meeting the program requirements.

1.2.1 Entity establishing CCDF program rules

Which of the following CCDF program rules and policies are administered (i.e., set or established) at the State or Territory level or local level? Identify whether CCDF program rules and policies are established by the State or Territory (even if operated locally) or whether the CCDF policies or rules are established by local entities, such as counties or workforce boards.

Check one of the following:

a. [x] All program rules and policies are set or established by the State or Territory. (If checked, skip to question 1.2.2.)

b. [ ] Some or all program rules and policies are set or established by local entities or agencies. If checked, indicate which entities establish the following policies. Check all that apply:

i. Eligibility rules and policies (e.g., income limits) are set by the:

[ ] State or Territory.

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[ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions).

[ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set:

ii. Sliding-fee scale is set by the:

[ ] State or Territory.

[ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions).

[ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set:

iii. Payment rates and payment policies are set by the:

[ ] State or Territory.

[ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions).

[ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set:

iv. Licensing standards and processes are set by the:

[ ] State or Territory.

[ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions).

[ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set:

v. Standards and monitoring processes for license-exempt providers are set by the:

[ ] State or Territory.

[ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions).

[ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set:

vi. Quality improvement activities, including QIS, are set by the:

[ ] State or Territory.

[ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions).

[ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set:

vii. Other. List and describe any other program rules and policies that are set at a level other than the State or Territory level:

1.2.2 Entities implementing CCDF services

The Lead Agency has broad authority to operate (i.e., implement activities) through other agencies, as long as it retains overall responsibility for CCDF. Complete the table below to identify which entity(ies) implements or performs CCDF services.

Check the box(es) to indicate which entity(ies) implement or perform CCDF services.

CCDF Activity CCDF Lead Agency

TANF

Agency

Local Government Agencies

CCR&R

Other

Who conducts eligibility determinations? [x] [x] [ ] [ ]

[ ] Describe:

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CCDF Activity CCDF Lead Agency

TANF

Agency

Local Government Agencies

CCR&R

Other

Who assists parents in locating child care (consumer education)? [ ] [ ] [ ] [x]

[ ] Describe:

Who issues payments? [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe:

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Agency

TANF

Agency

Local Government Agencies

CCR&R

Other

Who monitors licensed providers? [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

[x] Describe:

The Bureau of Child Care Licensing, part of the Division of Licensing

Services at the ADHS, regulates and monitors licensed child care facilities, public school child care programs and ADHS certified group homes statewide.

ADHS’

mission is to monitor the health, safety, and well-being of children in

ADHS

licensed centers, and

ADHS

certified group homes throughout Arizona by establishing appropriate rules, monitoring for compliance, 11 | P a g e

Agency

TANF

Agency

Local Government Agencies

CCR&R

Other offering technical assistance and training to caregivers, and providing consumer education.

Who monitors license-exempt providers? [x] [ ] [ ] [ ]

[ ] Describe:

Who operates the quality improvement activities? [x] [ ] [ ] [ ]

[ ] Describe:

1.2.3 Information systems availability

For any activities performed by agencies other than the Lead Agency as reported above in 1.2.1 and 1.2.2, identify the processes the Lead Agency uses to oversee and monitor CCDF administration and implementation activities to retain overall responsibility for the CCDF program.

Check and describe how the Lead Agency includes in its written agreements the required elements. Note: The contents of the written agreement may vary based on the role the agency is asked to assume or type of project but must include, at a minimum, the elements below.

a. Tasks to be performed.

[x] Yes. If yes, describe: Arizona Department of Child Safety (ADCS): ADCS sends a referral for families that ADCS deems eligible for Child Care Assistance. The ADCS also determines eligibility and sends a referral for children in the care, custody, and control of ADCS who are placed in foster care and need child care services as documented in a foster care case plan. The requirements are outlined in A.A.C. R6-5-4904(C)(2) and (3). The ADCS Policy in regards to child care services is outlined in its policy and procedure manual, chapter 3: Section 9.1. In addition, the Lead Agency provides funding for an ADCS Child Care Liaison, whose role is to support the child care eligibility process for children in ADCS care, and provide support for ADCS field staff, and foster families to assist them in accessing child care services. The ADCS Liaison works in collaboration with ADES Child Care Eligibility, Provider Network, and Program Development teams, and the Lead Agency partners that support expulsion prevention activities.

Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS): The Bureau of Child Care Licensing, part of the Division of Licensing Services at the ADHS, regulates and monitors licensed child care facilities, public school child care programs and ADHS certified group homes statewide. ADHS’ mission is to monitor the health, safety and well-being of children in ADHS licensed centers and ADHS certified group homes throughout Arizona by establishing appropriate rules, monitoring for compliance, 12 | P a g e offering technical assistance and training to caregivers, and providing consumer education.

Through an Interstate Agreement with ADES, ADHS is required to support additional monitoring that aligns with CCDBG. The Lead Agency will continue to partner with ADHS to support existing and potential child care providers to align CCDBG standards and contract with ADES to serve CCDF eligible children.

First Things First (FTF): In addition to a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the two agencies that allows ADES to claim expenditures made by FTF for CCDF Maintenance of Effort (MOE) matching purposes, ADES and FTF partner to meet the requirements of the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant. ADES and FTF also have a Data Sharing Agreement in place and partner in ongoing and annual data reporting requirements, including the FTF Needs and Assets Reports, sharing information of the characteristics of child care providers, including those that are contracted or certified with ADES, and those that are involved with the FTF Quality First program.

Pending State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025 budget allocations, the Lead Agency intends to enter into an agreement with FTF to continue Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation for ADES contracted providers statewide.

Outside of this agreement, FTF takes a lead role for Arizona’s Quality Improvement Rating System for providers serving children birth to age five, Quality First. FTF also serves on the State Agency Team supporting the Professional Development Advisory Committee and the development of Arizona’s Professional Development Framework. The Lead Agency continues to support the use of the workforce registry through the Provider Registration Agreement (PRA) as a requirement for our provider network. In addition, the Lead Agency partners with FTF to support memberships to the Childcare Education Institute (CCEI) for pre-service and annual training requirements.

[ ] No. If no, describe:

b. Schedule for completing tasks.

[x] Yes. If yes, describe: ADCS: Ongoing

ADHS: Ongoing. Additionally, an Interagency Service Agreement is in place to pass through CCDF funds for the monitoring and reporting on specific CCDF requirements.

FTF: Ongoing

c. Budget which itemizes categorical expenditures in accordance with CCDF requirements.

[x] Yes. If yes, describe: ADCS: approximately $40.5 million annually (allotted for subsidy only), and $100,000 to support the ADCS Child Care Liaison.

ADHS: approximately $1 million CCDF annually

FTF: approximately $2.5

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d. Indicators or measures to assess performance of those agencies.

[x] Yes. If yes, describe: ADCS: The Lead Agency tracks the number of children authorized and served for child care assistance, including number of children served in quality settings. In coordination with ADCS, the Lead Agency monitors data to determine gaps and improvement opportunities for serving children in ADCS care, including the expulsion prevention program.

ADHS: The Lead Agency meets monthly with ADHS, and on a regular basis to share data and information related to child care providers. ADHS provides a weekly data file on inspections, enforcements and complaints on licensed child care centers and group homes. In addition, a monthly data report is provided to the Lead Agency on new and closed child care centers and group homes. During this state plan cycle, the Lead Agency anticipates that ADHS Child Care licensing rules will be revised, which will coincide with an amended Interstate Agreement to ensure that indicators and measures are captured for monitoring and supporting CCDBG providers.

FTF: Through a data sharing agreement, the Lead Agency receives weekly reports of child care providers participating in the QIRS. The Lead Agency and FTF meet regularly to review data, metrics, and improvement opportunities regarding the Arizona Early Childhood Workforce Registry. This coordination includes workforce in applying for college scholarships provided by FTF and the Lead Agency’s Professional Career Pathway Project (PCPP).

During this state plan cycle, the Lead Agency anticipates developing a Memorandum of Understanding between FTF and the Lead Agency to formalize mutual goals, objectives, and standards.

e. In addition to the written agreements identified above, describe any other monitoring and auditing processes used to oversee CCDF administration.

1.2.4 Certification of shareable information systems.

Does the Lead Agency certify that to the extent practicable and appropriate, any code or software for child care information systems or information technology for which a Lead Agency or other agency expends CCDF funds to develop is made available to other public agencies? This includes public agencies in other States for their use in administering child care or related programs.

[x] Yes.

[ ] No. If no, describe:

1.2.5 Confidential and personally identifiable information

Certification of policies to protect confidential and personally identifiable information

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Does the Lead Agency certify that it has policies in place related to the use and disclosure of confidential and personally identifiable information about children and families receiving CCDF assistance and child care providers receiving CCDF funds?

[x] Yes.

1.3 Consultation in the Development of the CCDF Plan

The Lead Agency is responsible for developing the CCDF Plan, and consultation with and meaningful input and feedback from a wide range of representatives is critical for CCDF programs to continually adapt to the changing needs of families, child care programs, and the workforce.

Consultation involves meeting with or otherwise obtaining input from an appropriate agency in the development of the State or Territory CCDF Plan. As part of the Plan development process, Lead Agencies must consult with the following:

(1) Appropriate representatives of general-purpose local government. General purpose local governments are defined by the U.S. Census at https://www2.census.gov/govs/cog/g12_org.pdf.

(2) The State Advisory Council (SAC) on Early Childhood Education and Care (pursuant to 642B(b)(I)(A)(i) of the Head Start Act) or similar coordinating body pursuant to 98.14(a)(1)(vii).

(3) Tribe(s) or Tribal organization(s) within the State. This consultation should be done in a timely manner and at the option of the Tribe(s) or Tribal organization(s).

1.3.1 Consultation efforts in CCDF Plan development

Describe the Lead Agency’s consultation efforts in the development of the CCDF Plan, including how and how often the consultation occurred.

a. Describe how the Lead Agency consulted with appropriate representatives of general-purpose local government: The Lead Agency has developed a multi-faceted partnership for discussing the development of the CCDF State Plan with its partner agencies, tribal partners, members of the early childhood learning and education community, child care stakeholders, and members of the public. The Lead Agency leadership team meets monthly with a team of state agency partners from ADHS; the Arizona Department of Education (ADE); FTF; and ADCS. Since each of the state partners engage local governments within their consultation structures (FTF consults 28 regional councils, ADE works closely with school districts, DHS hosts Empower quarterly meetings, and Arizona Early Childhood Alliance (AZECA) is comprised of representation across local governments). In addition, the Lead Agency is seeking to engage with AZECA to receive feedback on the development of the CCDF State Plan.

a. Describe how the Lead Agency consulted with the State Advisory Council or similar coordinating body: The Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board, FTF, is designated as the State Advisory Council. The Lead Agency holds an ex-officio position on the Board and presents progress on the State Plan with requests for input. The Lead https://www2.census.gov/govs/cog/g12_org.pdf

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Agency made a formal presentation to the FTF Board on the Draft Plan in April 2024.

b. Describe, if applicable, how the Lead Agency consulted with Indian Tribes(s) or Tribal organizations(s) within the State: The Lead Agency worked to establish multiple engagement and communication channels to discuss the State Plan with tribes and tribal organizations through partnerships with the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona Inc. (ITCA), the National Center on Tribal Early Childhood Development (NCTECD), and the key tribal liaisons in ADES, FTF, and ADHS. The Lead Agency was invited to discuss the State Plan and the process at the March 2024 ITCA child care partners meeting. Additionally, the Lead Agency shared the state plan with each of the Tribal CCDF Administrators, and child care directors from each of the 22 Tribal Nations and invited them to provide feedback through either a virtual meeting platform, a one-on-one phone call, or in writing by mail or email.

The Lead Agency invited the tribal nations to participate in a tribal-specific meeting, in addition to the FTF Board meeting and the general public meeting where tribal members and partners were invited to share feedback and input into the State Plan. Through this multi-layered engagement, the Lead Agency also invited the CCDF tribal nations to a follow-up meeting regarding both the CCDF State Plan and to share their ideas and feedback to the State as they engage in their current CCDF Plan (Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-FY 2025).

c. Identify other entities, agencies, or organizations consulted on the development of the CCDF Plan (e.g., representatives from the child care workforce, or statewide afterschool networks) and describe those consultation efforts:

1.3.2 Public hearing process

Lead Agencies must hold at least one public hearing in the State or Territory, with sufficient Statewide or Territory-wide distribution of notice prior to such a hearing to enable the public to comment on the provision of child care services under the CCDF Plan.

Describe the Statewide or Territory-wide public hearing process held to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the provision of child care services under this Plan.

i. Date of the public hearing: 5/14/2024

Reminder: Must be no earlier than January 1, 2024. If more than one public hearing was held, enter one date (e.g., the date of the first hearing, the most recent hearing date, or any hearing date that demonstrates this requirement).

ii. Date of notice of public hearing: 4/10/2024

iii. Was the notice of public hearing posted publicly at least 20 calendar days prior to the date of the public hearing?

[x] Yes.

[ ] No. If no, describe:

iv. Describe how the public was notified about the public hearing, including outreach in other languages, information on interpretation services being available, etc.

Include specific website links if used to provide noticeThe Lead Agency posts the public hearing information on the ADES website, social media posts, and sends emails to known clients, providers, and stakeholders.

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v. Describe how the approach to the public hearing was inclusive of all geographic regions of the State or Territory: The Lead Agency hosts the public hearing virtually allowing all geographic areas to attend and hear the same information.

vi. Describe how the content of the Plan was made available to the public in advance of the public hearing (e.g., the Plan was made available in other languages, in multiple formats, etc.): The Lead Agency posted a draft CCDF Plan and accompanying documents on the ADES website meeting ADA standards. In addition, the Lead Agency created an email address, CCDFStatePlan@azdes.gov, as an additional means of communication for the public to provide comments.

The Lead Agency shared the draft CCDF Plan through its partnership groups, which were encouraged to share with their respective public constituencies and stakeholders as well.

vii. Describe how the information provided by the public was taken into consideration regarding the provision of child care services under this Plan: The Lead Agency reviews any public comments to consider for possible impacts and implementation based on the current statutory language and available funding.

Additionally, any factual errors, confusing language, or other reasonable edits suggested in the public hearings were corrected or clarified.

1.3.3 Public availability of final Plan, amendments, and waivers

Lead Agencies must make the submitted and approved final Plan, any approved Plan amendments, and any approved requests for temporary waivers publicly available on a website.

a. Provide the website link to where the Plan, any Plan amendments, and waivers (if applicable) are available. Note: A Plan amendment is required if the website address where the Plan is posted changes. https://des.az.gov/services/child-and-family/child-care/child-care-and-development-fund-state-plan

b. Describe any other strategies that the Lead Agency uses to make submitted and approved CCDF Plan and approved Plan amendments available to the public. Check all that apply and describe the strategies below, including any relevant website links as examples.

i. [x] Working with advisory committees. Describe: The Lead Agency developed a multi-faceted partnership for discussing the development of the CCDF State Plan with its partner agencies, tribal partners, members of the early childhood learning and education community, child care stakeholders, and members of the public.

The Lead Agency shared and discussed the CCDF Plan with a team of state agency partners from ADHS, ADE, FTF, and ADCS that shared input from their local government and community partners (FTF consults 28 regional councils, ADE works closely with school districts, DHS hosts Empower quarterly meetings, and AZECA is comprised of representation across local governments).

The Lead Agency met with AZECA and FTF Board for review and engagement on the draft CCDF State Plan.

The Lead Agency implemented a public comment period by posting the plan to its

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ii. [x] Working with child care resource and referral agencies. Describe: The Lead Agency included a link to the draft CCDF Plan on the Arizona Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) website for public review, along with information on the public hearing and comment form. CCR&R also posts information on the public hearing and draft CCDF plan through social media platforms; Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

iii. [ ] Providing translation in other languages. Describe:

iv. [ ] Sharing through social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, email). Describe:

v. [x] Providing notification to key constituents (e.g., parent and family groups, provider groups, advocacy groups, foundations, and businesses). Describe: The Lead Agency emailed notice of public hearing to other parties including Tribal and local units of government, and other groups that may have an interest in child care.

vi. [ ] Working with Statewide afterschool networks or similar coordinating entities for out-of-school time. Describe:

vii. [x] Direct communication with the child care workforce. Describe: The Lead Agency emailed notice of public hearing to CCDF eligible child care providers.

viii. [ ] Other. Describe:

2 Child and Family Eligibility and Enrollment and Continuity of Care

Stable and reliable child care arrangements facilitate job stability for parents and healthy development of children. CCDF eligibility and enrollment policies can contribute to these goals.

Policies and procedures that create barriers to families accessing CCDF, like inaccessible subsidy applications and onerous reporting requirements, interrupt a parent’s ability to work and may deter eligible families from participating in CCDF.

To address these concerns, Lead Agencies must provide children with a minimum of 12 months between eligibility determinations, limit reporting requirements during the 12-month period, and ensure eligibility determination and redetermination processes do not interrupt a parent’s work or school.

In this section, Lead Agencies will identify how they define eligible children and families and how the Lead Agency’s eligibility and enrollment policies support access for eligible children and families.

2.1 Reducing Barriers to Family Enrollment and Redetermination

Lead Agency enrollment and redetermination policies may not unduly disrupt parents’ employment, education, or job training activities to comply with the Lead Agency’s or designated local entity’s requirements. Lead Agencies have broad flexibility to design and implement the eligibility practices that reduce barriers to enrollment and redetermination.

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Examples include developing strategies to inform families and their providers of an upcoming redetermination and the information that will be required of the family, pre-populating subsidy renewal forms, having parents confirm that the information is accurate, and/or asking only for the information necessary to make an eligibility redetermination. In addition, Lead Agencies can offer a variety of family-friendly methods for submitting documentation for eligibility redetermination that considers the range of needs for families in accessing support (e.g., use of languages other than English, access to transportation, accommodation of parents working non-traditional hours).

2.1.1 Eligibility practices to reduce barriers to enrollment

a. Does the Lead Agency implement any of the following eligibility practices to reduce barriers at the time of initial eligibility determination? Check all that apply and describe those elements checked.

i. [x] Establishing presumptive eligibility while eligibility is being determined.

Describe the policy, including the populations benefiting from the policy, and identify how long the period of presumptive eligibility is: The Presumptive Eligibility Determination (PED) allows the Lead Agency to prioritize services for children experiencing homelessness to provide immediate access to Child Care Assistance. The Lead Agency shall authorize Child Care Assistance under PED for no more than 30 calendar days starting the Application File Date. PED is not applicable when a waiting list is in effect.

ii. [x] Leveraging eligibility from other public assistance programs. Describe: The Lead Agency utilizes the jobs program eligibility for approval of child care assistance within five business days from receipt of the Jobs program referral. No application is needed for these participants.

iii. [ ] Coordinating determinations for children in the same household (while still ensuring each child receives 12 months of eligibility). Describe:

iv. [ ] Self-assessment screening tools for families. Describe:

v. [ ] Extended office hours (evenings and/or weekends).

vi. [x] Consultation available via phone.

vii. [x] Other. Describe the Lead Agency policies to process applications efficiently and make timely eligibility determinations: For families participating with ADCS, the lead agency accepts referrals and processes within two business days. No application is needed for these participants.

viii. [ ] None.

b. Does the Lead Agency use an online subsidy application?

[ ] Yes.

[x] No. If no, describe why an online application is impracticable. The Lead Agency has secured a vendor to create a new client portal, including an online subsidy application.

The Lead Agency expects to launch the client portal by the end of the Calendar Year 2024.

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c. Does the Lead Agency use different policies for families receiving TANF assistance?

[x] Yes. If yes, describe the policies: The Lead Agency waives income requirements, copay requirements, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients are exempt from waiting lists.

[ ] No.

2.1.2 Preventing disruption of eligibility activities

a. Identify, where applicable, the Lead Agency’s procedures and policies to ensure that parents do not have their employment, education, or job training unduly disrupted to comply with the State’s/Territory’s or designated local entity’s requirements for the redetermination of eligibility. Check all that apply.

i. [x] Advance notice to parents of pending redetermination.

ii. [x] Advance notice to providers of pending redetermination.

iii. [ ] Pre-populated subsidy renewal form.

iv. [ ] Online documentation submission.

v. [ ] Cross-program redeterminations.

vi. [ ] Extended office hours (evenings and/or weekends).

vii. [x] Consultation available via phone.

viii. [ ] Leveraging eligibility from other public assistance programs.

ix. [ ] Other. Describe:

b. Does the Lead Agency use different policies for families receiving TANF assistance?

[x] Yes. If yes, describe the policies: The Lead Agency waives income requirements, copay requirements, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients are exempt from waiting lists.

[ ] No.

2.2 Eligible Children and Families

At eligibility determination or redetermination, children must (1) be younger than age 13; (2) reside with a family whose income does not exceed 85 percent of the State's median income (SMI) for a family of the same size and whose family assets do not exceed $1,000,000; and (3)(a) reside with a parent or parents who are working or attending a job training or educational program (which can include job search) or (b) receive, or need to receive, protective services as defined by the Lead Agency.

2.2.1 Eligibility criteria: age of children served

Lead Agencies may provide child care assistance for children less than 13 years of age, including continuing to provide assistance to children if they turn 13 during the eligibility period. In addition, 20 | P a g e

Lead Agencies can choose to serve children up to age 19 if those children are unable to care for themselves.

a. Does your Lead Agency serve the full federally allowable age range of children through age 12?

[x] Yes.

[ ] No. If no, describe the age range of children served and the reason why you made that decision to serve less than the full range of allowable children.

Note: Do not include children incapable of self-care or under court supervision, who are reported below in 2.2.1b and 2.2.1c.

b. Does the Lead Agency extend eligibility for CCDF-funded child care to children ages 13 and older but below age 19 who are physically and/or mentally incapable of self-care?

[x] No.

[ ] Yes.

i. If yes, the upper age is (may not equal or exceed age 19):

ii. If yes, provide the Lead Agency definition of physical and/or mental incapacity:

c. Does the Lead Agency extend eligibility for CCDF-funded child care to children ages 13 and older but below age 19 who are under court supervision?

[x] No.

[ ] Yes. If yes, and the upper age is (may not equal or exceed age 19):

d. How does the Lead Agency define the following eligibility terms?

i. “residing with”: Means to live in the same household of a parent, guardian, or other person standing in loco parentis, and who has legal responsibility for the child.

ii. “in loco parentis”: Means an individual who has legal guardianship or who has initiated the process of legal guardianship; or is a caretaker relative who exercises responsibility for the day-to-day physical care, guidance, and support of a child who physically resides with the relative and; who is by blood, adoption or marriage a grandparent, great-grandparent, sibling of the whole or half-blood, stepbrother, stepsister, aunt, uncle, great-aunt, great-uncle or first cousin.

2.2.2 Eligibility criteria: reason for care

Lead Agencies have broad flexibility on the work, training, and educational activities required to qualify for child care assistance. Lead Agencies do not have to set a minimum number of hours for families to qualify for work, training, or educational activities, and there is no requirement to limit authorized child care services strictly based on the work, training, or educational schedule/hours of the parent(s). For example, the Lead Agency can include travel or study time in calculating the amount of needed services.

How does the Lead Agency define the following terms for the purposes of determining CCDF eligibility?

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a. Identify which of the following activities are included in your definition of “working” by checking the boxes below:

i. [x] An activity for which a wage or salary is paid.

ii. [x] Being self-employed.

iii. [ ] During a time of emergency or disaster, partnering in essential services.

iv. [ ] Participating in unpaid activities like student teaching, internships, or practicums.

v. [ ] Time for meals or breaks.

vi. [ ] Time for travel.

vii. [ ] Seeking employment or job search.

viii. [ ] Other. Describe:

b. Identify which of the following activities are included in your definition of “attending job training” by checking the boxes below:

i. [x] Vocational/technical job skills training.

ii. [x] Apprenticeship or internship program or other on-the-job training.

iii. [x] English as a Second Language training.

iv. [x] Adult Basic Education preparation.

v. [x] Participation in employment service activities.

vi. [ ] Time for meals and breaks.

vii. [ ] Time for travel.

viii. [ ] Hours required for associated activities such as study groups, lab experiences.

ix. [ ] Time for outside class study or completion of homework.

x. [x] Other. Describe: Means to be present, at an activity outside of the individual's home on a regular and acceptable basis, as determined by the ADES Jobs Program or contracted Jobs vendor or homeless/Domestic Violence (DV) shelter case manager. If an individual is a TANF recipient and is required to participate in the ADES Jobs Program, child care services for any job training and educational program must be approved by the Jobs Program or contracted Jobs vendor.

Attendance at structured work readiness activities (typically involving structured classes and employment preparation activities) as required by a homeless or DV shelter is covered as part of the shelter case plan.

c. Identify which of the following diplomas, certificates, degrees, or activities are included in your definition of “attending an educational program” by checking the boxes below:

i. [x] Adult High School Diploma or GED.

ii. [x] Certificate programs (12-18 credit hours).

iii. [ ] One-year diploma (36 credit hours).

iv. [x] Two-year degree.

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v. [x] Four-year degree.

vi. [x] Travel to and from classrooms, labs, or study groups.

vii. [ ] Study time.

viii. [ ] Hours required for associated activities such as study groups, lab experiences.

ix. [ ] Time for outside class study or completion of homework.

x. [ ] Applicable meal and break times.

xi. [ ] Other. Describe:

d. Does the Lead Agency impose a Lead Agency-defined minimum number of hours of activity for eligibility?

[x] No.

[ ] Yes.

If yes, describe any Lead Agency-imposed minimum requirement for the following:

[ ] Work. Describe:

[ ] Job training. Describe:

[ ] Education. Describe:

[ ] Combination of allowable activities. Describe:

[ ] Other. Describe:

e. Does the Lead Agency allow parents to qualify for CCDF assistance based on education and training without additional work requirements?

[ ] Yes.

[x] No. If no, describe the additional work requirements: Education and training activities are allowable if the eligible parent who needs child care works a monthly average of at least 20 hours per week.The 20-hour work requirement does not apply to teen parents in high school, or its equivalent or remedial education activities reasonably related to obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent.

f. Does the Lead Agency extend eligibility to specific populations of children otherwise not eligible by including them in its definition of “children who receive or need to receive protective services?”

Note: A Lead Agency may elect to provide CCDF-funded child care to children in foster care when foster care parents are not working or are not in education/training activities, but this provision should be included in the Lead Agency’s protective services definition.

[ ] No. If no, skip to question 2.2.3.

[x] Yes. If yes, answer the questions below:

Provide the Lead Agency’s definition of “protective services” by checking below the sub-populations of children that are included:

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[x] Children in foster care.

[ ] Children in kinship care.

[ ]…