PART IV. CHILD PROTECTIVE AND CHILD WELFARE SERVICES CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES

((This chapter relates to the following subsidies in children's administration (CA)))DCYF may purchase:

(1) Child protective services child care;

(2) Child welfare services child care; and

(3) Employed foster parent child care.

The following definitions apply ((throughout this chapter))to WAC 110-15-4500 through 110-15-4580.

"Child" means a person twelve years of age or younger or a person under nineteen years of age who is physically, mentally, or emotionally incapable of self-care as verified by a licensed medical practitioner or masters level or above mental health professional.

(("In-home/relative child care provider" means a provider who meets the requirement in WAC 170-290-0130 through 170-290-0167.))

"Parent" means a biological or adoptive parent of a child or an individual who ((have))has an established parent-child relationship under RCW 26.26.101, unless the legal rights of that person have been terminated or paternity has been disestablished.

((The department))DCYF may purchase ((CPS/CWS)) child care within available funds for children of families in need of support as part of a ((CPS/CWS))CPS or CWS case plan. This service is short-term and time-limited. Social workers must determine if other resources are available to meet this need before authorizing payment by the department.

((CA))Maximum child care subsidy rates for licensed child care centers can be found in WAC ((170-290-0200))110-15-0200.

((CA))Maximum child care subsidy rates for licensed or certified family home child care can be found in WAC ((170-290-0205))110-15-0205.

((CA))DCYF pays additional subsidies to a licensed or certified family child care home or center when:

(1) Care is for nonstandard hours ((under WAC 388-165-195 and 388-165-200))as defined in WAC 110-15-0249;

(2) A child has a documented special need((s)) under WAC ((388-165-210, 388-165-215, or 388-165-220))110-15-0220;

(3) Care is not available at the ((CA))DCYF rate and the provider's usual rate is authorized;

(4) The provider is participating in the state's early achievers program and receives tiered reimbursement and state funds are available; or

(5) A child registration fee is applicable under WAC ((170-290-0245))110-15-0245.

To the extent that funds are available, ((CA))DCYF may pay additional subsidies to licensed or certified family home child care for field trip and quality enhancement fees under WAC ((170-290-0245))110-15-0247.

((CA))DCYF authorizes the nonstandard hour bonus to licensed or certified child care providers as specified in WAC ((170-290-0249))110-15-0249.

For children with documented special needs, ((CA pays child care subsidies to licensed or certified child care centers as described in WAC 388-165-180. In addition, CA))DCYF pays the base rate authorized in WAC 110-15-0200 and the lesser of:

(1) The actual cost of providing the special needs care; or

(2) The applicable rate listed in WAC ((170-290-0225))110-15-0225 (1)(a) or (b).

For children with documented special needs, ((CA))DCYF pays ((child care subsidies to licensed or certified family child care homes as described in WAC 388-165-185. In addition, CA pays))the base rate authorized in WAC 110-15-0205 and the lesser of:

(1) The actual cost of providing special needs care; or

(2) The applicable rate listed in WAC ((170-290-0230))110-15-0230 (1)(a) or (b).

For children with documented special needs, ((CA may authorize payment to in-home/relative child care providers in accordance with))DCYF pays the base rate authorized in WAC 110-15-0240 and the applicable special needs rate listed in WAC ((170-290-0235))110-15-0235.

((CA))DCYF pays the cost of child care directly to the provider as the rate specified in WAC ((170-290-0240))110-15-0240.

(1) On all payments ((DSHS))DCYF makes toward the cost of in-home/relative child care, ((DSHS))DCYF pays the employer's share of:

(a) Social Security taxes;

(b) Medicare taxes;

(c) Federal Unemployment Taxes (FUTA); and

(d) State unemployment taxes (SUTA) when applicable.

(2) On all payments ((DSHS))DCYF makes toward the cost of in-home/relative child care ((DSHS))DCYF withholds the following taxes:

(a) Social security taxes up to the wage base limit; and

(b) Medicare taxes.

(3) If an in-home/relative child care provider receives less than ((one thousand one hundred dollars))the per family threshold allowed by Internal Revenue Service Publication 926, Household Employer's Tax Guide, in a calendar year, ((DSHS))DCYF refunds all withheld taxes to the provider.

((DSHS))DCYF will pay toward the cost of child care provided in the relative's home by the following adult relative of the child:

(1) Siblings and stepsiblings living outside the child's home;

(2) Grandparents;

(3) Aunts;

(4) Uncles;

(5) First cousins;

(6) Great grandparents;

(7) Great aunts;

(8) Great uncles; and

(9) Extended family members as determined by law or custom of the Indian child's tribe.