Childcare and development services: eligibility and priority.

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's adjusted monthly income is at or below 85% of the state median income, adjusted for family size, as specified. Existing law requires the department to establish a fee schedule for families using preschool, childcare, and development services. Existing law provides for calculations to determine income eligibility and family fees. This bill would require earned and unearned income received by a family member who has verified employment of at least 20 hours or more per week at a childcare center or family childcare home to be excluded when determining income eligibility or family fees pursuant to the above-described provisions. Existing law establishes priority for federal and state subsidized child development services with first priority given to neglected or abused children who are recipients of child protective services and 2nd priority given to income eligible families, as specified. This bill would give 3rd priority to families that are eligible due to a family member's employment at a childcare center or family childcare home.