Section 7.41.015. Responsibilities of designees.

	(a)  The department may designate an entity or a municipal government to administer child care assistance program services within a specified geographic area for PASS II and PASS III families and child care providers under this chapter. A municipality will be given preference over other organizations, as required by AS 47.25.001(b)(2).  
	(b)  If the department designates an entity or municipal government to perform certain functions on the department's behalf, those functions may include one or more of the following:  
		(1) for providers and for PASS II and PASS III families:  
			(A) provide program information;  
			(B) obtain completed applications or renewals;  
			(C) verify and evaluate information supplied by providers and families for participation in the child care assistance program and payment of benefits related to that participation;  
			(D) verify that the provider's license or approval is in good standing;  
			(E) request additional information if necessary to evaluate eligibility;  
			(F) approve or deny participation in the program;  
			(G) determine the amount of child care to authorize, including determination of the family contribution toward the eligible cost of care; for a two-parent family, evaluate and discuss with the parents work schedule options, and determine the necessity for more than full-time care;  
			(H) submit applications, evaluations, decisions, or recommendations, and related reports, to the department upon request;  
			(I) provide ongoing review for compliance with the applicable provisions of this chapter and refer suspected noncompliance to the department;  
			(J) determine whether a provider or family becomes ineligible for participation in the program, and, if so, discontinue authorization and payment and issue notice in accordance with 7 AAC 41.405;  
			(K) except as provided in (e) of this section, receive and process complaints;  
		(2) in addition to (1) of this subsection  
			(A) for a nonrelative provider approved under 7 AAC 41.200(d), monitor providers for compliance with the applicable health and safety standards of this chapter; the provisions of this subparagraph do not apply to the requirement dealing with criminal history checks under 7 AAC 41.205(b); and  
			(B) for a relative provider approved under 7 AAC 41.200(e),  
				(i) obtain documents and review information related to background checks in accordance with 7 AAC 41.205(c) and (d);  
				(ii) as necessary, request the department to review information obtained under 7 AAC 41.205(c) and (d); and  
				(iii) monitor providers for compliance with the applicable health and safety standards of this chapter.  
	(c)  A designee shall refer a provider subject to licensure under AS 47.32  and 7 AAC 57 to the department.  
	(d)  A designee shall deny or discontinue a family's or a provider's participation in the program if the family or provider is ineligible under AS 47.25.001 - 47.25.095 or this chapter. Subject to 7 AAC 41.405, the designee shall mail to the provider or family, as applicable, a written determination of denial or discontinuance of participation in the program and a notice of request for administrative review form. Under 7 AAC 41.415 and 7 AAC 41.430, a designee may submit to the department a recommendation regarding any change in program participation based on noncompliance with AS 47.25.001 - 47.25.095 or this chapter.  
	(e)  A designee shall immediately report to the department any noncompliance with an applicable health and safety requirement of this chapter. The department will evaluate the report and, if the department determines that an investigation is warranted,  
		(1) conduct the investigation;  
		(2) develop a plan with the designee for a coordinated investigation; or  
		(3) authorize the designee to conduct the investigation and submit a report and recommendation to the department.  
	(f)  The department may separately approve, deny, monitor, and investigate providers and families, regardless of whether a designation has been made under this section.  
	(g)  If the designation under this section is accomplished through a grant or contract, the designee shall administer its grant or contract in compliance with this chapter, other applicable state or federal law, and the grant or contract, regardless of whether the designee has subcontracted administrative duties to a subcontractor. Any subcontract must require the subcontractor to administer the subcontract in compliance with this chapter, and other applicable state or federal law.  
	(h)  A designee shall use forms prescribed by the department to administer the child care assistance program unless the department authorizes, in writing, the use of another form that provides the same information as the prescribed form.  

Authorities

47.05.300;47.05.310;47.05.340;47.25.001

Notes

Authority

AS 47.05.300 AS 47.05.310 AS 47.05.340 AS 47.25.001

History

Eff. 6/23/2006, Register 178; am 2/9/2007, Register 181