UPDATE – Child Care Assistance GAP Pilot Program Extended
HHS is excited to share a new update regarding a child care assistance opportunity.
There is now a pilot program that is offering additional funding to help resource parents caring for children in foster care who attend child care. The program is in a pilot phase to see what resource parents need before implementing a more permanent program.
HHS has allocated funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dedicated to support foster care families with child care expenses. These funds will allow HHS to reimburse foster families the difference between the CCA reimbursement rate and their provider’s private pay rate, as well as additional absence days (over the allowable six days) to support stability in the foster home and reunification efforts.
The Child Care Assistance GAP Pilot Program was initially approved for a 6-month timeframe from October 2, 2023, to March 3, 2024. The Child Care Assistance GAP Pilot Program has now been extended until June 30, 2024. The deadline for reimbursement forms to be turned in is July 31, 2024. At the conclusion of the pilot timeframe, HHS will evaluate the effectiveness of the program and determine if there are additional funds to support the program ongoing.
Linked you will find a one-page document on the Child Care Assistance Gap Funding Pilot and 470-5796, Foster Care Reimbursement Request for Child Care Assistance Gap Funding.
Please note, all additional child care assistance process steps related to the pilot will be completed by Nancy Swanson and Wendy Hoogeveen. HHS staff will continue to complete standard child care assistance process steps.
Please reach out to Nancy Swanson at nswanso@dhs.state.ia.us with any questions.