Childcare and development programs: eligibility.

Existing law, the Child Care and Development Services Act, administered by the State Department of Social Services, requires the department to administer childcare and development programs that offer a full range of services to eligible children from infancy to 13 years of age, inclusive. The act requires that families meet specified requirements to be eligible for federal and state subsidized childcare and development services, including that a family is a current aid recipient or is income eligible, among other eligible statuses, and the family needs childcare services because, among other reasons, the family is homeless. This bill would extend eligibility for childcare and development programs to families whose child is eligible for services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and a family who needs the childcare services because the child is identified as eligible for services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.