Aligning CCDF and EHS Eligibility

The CCDBG Act of 2014 established a minimum 12-month eligibility period for subsidy, regardless of a temporary change in parents’ status as working or attending job training or education, if family income does not exceed 85% of SMI. In addition, existing Federal CCDF policy guidance allows states to align subsidy eligibility periods for children in Early Head Start (see Policy Interpretation Question on Eligibility Determination for Head Start Collaboration, ACYF-PIQ-CC-99-02). Several states now allow children participating in EHS-CCP to remain authorized for subsidy for the duration of the partnership without redetermining eligibility, a period which may exceed 12 months.

The EHS-CCP IM also encourages coordination within States among EHS-CCP Grantees, the Head Start Collaboration Office, the CCDF State Administrator and other state partners to explore the possibility of other flexible policies for EHS-CCP, which may include allowing automatic CCDBG eligibility for Head Start-eligible families ad establish coordinated referrals for dually eligible children from CCDBG to EHS-CC partnerships

Grantees should also work with their Regional Office and state partners to explore this strategy as a way of promoting the continuity of care for children and families participating in EHS-CCP programs.

States that align subsidy eligibility with the HS-EHS program year streamline their state eligibility guidelines and ensure families and children participating in EHS-CCP avoid service interruptions.

Featured State: Alabama The state CCDF agency has aligned CCDF and EHS eligibility to better meet family needs and streamline the eligibility process. for children participating in the EHS-CCP program. Alabama’s lead state agency is a direct EHS-CCP Grantee.