KANSAS DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN
AND FAMILIES
Family Services
DCF Administration Building
555 S. Kansas Ave., 6th Floor
Topeka, KS 66603
| To: |
Regional Directors
Economic and Employment Services Program Administrators
Economic and Employment Services Staff
Prevention and Protection Services Administrators
Other Staff |
Re: |
Summary of Changes for Kansas Economic and Employment Services Manual (KEESM) Revision No. 98 effective April 01, 2020 |
OVERVIEW OF CHANGES
A brief overview of the major changes is described below. Other clarifications and technical corrections are also included and described in the next section. Additional technical corrections not mentioned here are being incorporated in KEESM as needed.
All Program – Changed BARI and BASI to KDOL throughout.
Child Care – New poverty-level guidelines have been published by the Department of Health and Human Services. These guidelines affect the eligibility standards in the Child Care program. State Median Income figures are also being adjusted. An adjustment is being made to the maximum child care provider rates for infant and toddler age groups for relative child care providers who care for the child in the relative’s home, licensed home providers and child care centers. A change is also being made to allow exceptions to the maximum enrollment fees that may be paid for children in foster care.
TANF – Explanation was provided in December that the only time the ES-3100DT will need a customer signature will be at the time of application. The ES-3100DT will no longer be required at review. No KEESM change has been made with this clarification.
DESCRIPTION, PURPOSE, AND DETAILS OF POLICY CHANGE
- All Programs
- Changes
None
- Clarifications
- Voter Registration – Section 1731 is being updated to provide additional guidance on the voter registration process.
Staff must offer the same level of assistance as the agency provides in completing benefits or other processes but do not have to offer assistance at the time if an applicant leaves the voter preference question blank. However, unless voter registration application is declined in writing, the agency must provide a voter registration form.
Information will be provided to staff so they understand the process and can provide assistance in filling out voter registration materials, and questions can be directed to the Secretary of State's office.
- Child Care
- Changes
- The Child Care Plan – KEESM 7600 is being modified to allow for exceptions to be made to the enrollment fee limit for foster care child care.
- Clarifications
- Income Eligible (Non-TANF) Child Care – KEESM 2835, item 4 is being corrected regarding the work requirements for self-employed post-secondary students based on 12-month eligibility policies that were effective 10-1-18.
- Effect on Child Care Eligibility – KEESM 3512 is being updated to correct the policy regarding work program penalties as they relate to the current child care program policies around 12 month eligibility.
- TANF
- Changes
- Time-Limited Assistance – An adult's non-compliance with suspicion-based drug policy is being added to the list of disqualification reasons that count toward the family group's TANF time limit.
KEESM section 2240 (2) is being updated with this information. The item is also being reformatted for clarity.
- Clarifications
None
FORMS (Explanation provided if not mentioned previously in this summary.)
All Programs
ES-3100, Application for Benefits, and ES-3100R, Review Form. Kansas Voter Registration Information is being updated, and the Voter Registration Application is being added to the end of these forms.
The Kansas Voter Registration Information page and the Voter Registration Application are being added to the following forms:
ES-3114, Food Assistance Interim Report Form
ES-3115, 12 Month Report Form
ES-3500, Low Income Energy Assistance Program Application (LIEAP)
Child Care
ES-1512FC, Changes for Foster Care Child Care Benefits, was updated in English and Spanish and posted in February 2020.
Employment Services
The following forms were updated and posted to KEESM Forms list in January 2020.
ES-4415: DCF/DSA Monthly Progress Report
ES-4416: DCF/DSA Referral Form
APPENDIX (Explanation provided if not mentioned previously in this summary.)
All Programs
V-1, Electronic Benefit Transfer System Guide, was updated and added in February 2020.
Child Care
C-18, Maximum Hourly Child Care Benefit Rates Chart, is being updated to reflect an adjustment to infant and toddler rates for relative child care providers who care for the child in the relative’s home, licensed home providers and child care centers.
F-1, Monthly Family Income and Family Share Deduction Schedule, is being updated with the information related to the new poverty-level guidelines.
W-11, Over 85% SMI Worksheet, is being updated with the information related to the new poverty-level guidelines.
E-11, Education/Training Assistance Desk Aid, is being revised to add clarifying language to the services that can be provided.
Employment Services
E-9, GOALS Self-Sufficiency Agreement. The section regarding the request for child care is being removed.
Food Assistance
P-1, Medical Expense Guidelines for Food Assistance. CBD Oils, is being added to section B, Medical Expenses Not Allowed, as item 9.
Shipping and/or delivery charges for prescriptions is being added to section C, Allowable Medical Expenses, as item 49, with subsequent items renumbered accordingly.
MISCELLANEOUS FORMS (Explanation provided if not mentioned previously in this summary.)
EFFECTIVE DATE
All changes are effective April 1, 2020.
EFFECT ON LOCAL STAFF (No significant effect if not explained below.)
MATERIALS OBSOLETED BY THIS REVISION
COORDINATION EFFORTS
This change was coordinated with staff in Economic and Employment Services (EES), Executive leadership, and the EES Program Administrators.
Sincerely,
Sandra Kimmons, Assistant EES Director
Economic and Employment Services
SK:am |