THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Department of Early Education and Care

Supportive Child Care Subsidy POLICY STATEMENT: TERMINATION OF SUPPORTIVE CHILD CARE & DSS APPEAL RIGHTS Number: P-EEC-Supportive -09

Authorization for Supportive Child Care ends upon completion of one year of Supportive Child Care services (unless an exception is approved by DSS), when the family’s DSS case closes, or when other circumstances impact on the feasibility of continuing Supportive Child Care. Examples of such circumstances include when a child is removed from his/her home to an out- of-area location; excessive absence; misuse of transportation services; or disruptive behavior that endangers the safety of the child or others at the child care program. At no time may a Supportive Child Care Provider terminate a child without approval of DSS. (See policy P-EEC- Supportive-08: Case Management & Reauthorization.)

When the DSS social worker closes the family’s case, or when Supportive Child Care will be reduced or terminated for any other reason, the DSS social worker will inform the family of their rights to a DSS Fair Hearing process. The DSS social worker must provide or direct the family to the Central Office DSS Fair Hearing Office in order to obtain the appropriate forms.

Families wishing to appeal the termination of Supportive Child Care Services may do so by requesting a DSS Fair Hearing through the Department of Social Services, in accordance with DSS policy and regulation.

Services shall be continued or terminated based on adherence to DSS timeframes regarding receipt of requests, and upon the outcome of the DSS Fair Hearing process.

Unless there are exigent circumstances, the DSS social worker must give the DSS area child care coordinator and the Supportive Child Care provider at least two three weeks’ notice prior to termination of Supportive Child Care. (An example of an exigent circumstance is when an emergency requires that a child be removed immediately from his/her current home or when services must be reduced or terminated abruptly for another reason).

The DSS area child care coordinator and the Supportive Child Care provider must be notified at least two three weeks prior to the child’s last day of enrollment in order to properly prepare and implement a plan for the termination of services. Timely notice may allow the provider to prepare a smooth transition of the child from his/her existing program to another subsidized child care program (if appropriate). Advance notice also allows DSS to maximize use of Supportive Child Care resources by referring a waiting child to the slot being vacated. In cases when a child is abruptly removed due to family circumstances, the DSS social worker shall establish with the Supportive Child Care provider (when feasible) a date for the child to re-visit the program in order give the child the opportunity to say goodbye to classmates and teachers.

10/25/02 Rev. 3/4/08 SUPTerminationAppeal20021025 1 Procedures for Termination of Supportive Child Care Services

The DSS social worker must notify the DSS area child care coordinator at least two three weeks in advance of a pending termination of Supportive Child Care. The DSS area child care coordinator will:

 add the appropriate end date to the child’s DSS Authorization for Supportive Child Care form;  promptly notify the Supportive Child Care provider by telephone of the child’s end date at least twothree weeks in advance of case closing; and  fax or send a copy of the revised DSS Authorization for Supportive Child Care form to the Supportive Child Care provider.

Upon receiving notification from DSS of the termination date, the Supportive Child Care provider will re-evaluate the family’s need for continuing child care and their eligibility for other subsidized child care programs. (See policy P-EEC-Supportive-15: Provider Responsibilities 45 Days After Placement; and policy P-EEC-Supportive-17: Transition Planning.)

The Supportive Child Care provider must notify the DSS area child care coordinator and the DSS social worker of the child’s last day in Supportive Child Care.

10/25/02 Rev. 3/4/08 SUPTerminationAppeal20021025 2