WSR 15-11-086

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed May 19, 2015, 4:39 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Revisions to chapter 170-290 WAC to allow for early head start-child care partnerships, including, but not limited to, rule making on any of the following subjects: Eligibility requirements, rights and responsibilities, approved activities, income and copayment calculations, start dates and eligibility period, notice, eligible child care providers, subsidy rates and fees, tiered reimbursement, special needs rates, payment discrepancies, and administrative hearings for child care subsidy programs. Possible revisions to chapters 170-295 and 170-296A WAC, or creation of a new WAC chapter, to administer licensing or certification of participating early head start sites.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.215.060, 43.215.070, chapter 43.215 RCW.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Federal Administration for Children and Families has set aside substantial funds for new early head start-child care partnership grants to allow new or existing early head start programs to expand full-day, full-year high quality early learning opportunities to infants and toddlers. Amendments to chapter 170-290 WAC are needed in order to allow partnership grantees in Washington state to participate by using child care development block grant funds in the form of contracts or vouchers to serve working connections child care (WCCC) eligible families. Current rules provide only for traditional WCCC vouchers in half-day and full-day increments and may require additional payment increments and language to provide for contracts under the model.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The state department of social and health services jointly administers the WCCC subsidy programs. The department of early learning (DEL) must follow United States Administration for Children and Families - Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations consistent with the state's CCDF plan. DEL plans to coordinate rule development with these state and federal agencies.

Process for Developing New Rule: To the extent practicable, DEL intends to seek public input during the rule drafting and development process. At a later date, DEL will file proposed rules (more than one proposed rule-making notice may be filed), hold a public hearing or hearings, and accept written comments before adopting permanent rules.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Individuals and organizations wishing to receive draft and proposed materials may join a DEL rules mailing list by contacting the DEL rules coordinator at Rules@del.wa.gov, by fax (360) 586-0533, or by writing to the Rules Coordinator, Department of Early Learning, P.O. Box 40970, Olympia, WA 98504-0970.

May 19, 2015

Matt Judge

Rules Coordinator