Home > Definitions of Common Terms

Definitions of Common Terms

Accredited - A child care center evaluated by the Academy of Early Childhood Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and recognized as meeting high standards and providing a quality early childhood program. A family child care home evaluated by the National Association for Family Child Care and recognized as meeting high standards in the following areas: Relationships, The Environment, Developmental Learning Activities, Safety and Health, and Professional and Business Practices.

Actual Hours - The actual number of hours a child spent in the provider’s care during a payment month as reported on the provider’s attendance record. (KEESM 10036)

Affordable Child Care - The family has sufficient income or assistance through the child care subsidy program to pay the costs of care.

Agency Error Overissuance - An overissuance caused by agency action (at any level) or failure to take the required action.

Allotment - Allotment means the total value of benefits a household is authorized to receive during the month.

Applicant - A person who submits an application for benefits.

Application Date - The date upon which a signed application is received in the local office. When establishing a new Income Eligible Child Care case, this date is normally used as the initial eligibility date for child care services and the effective date of the initial child care plan.

Appropriate Child Care - A KDHE licensed child care facility is one that meets or exceeds minimum health and safety requirements to legally operate. An unregulated legally exempt provider is one who is licensed by another state and is a CCDF provider in that state or is under the jurisdiction of the federal government or tribe, and has completed a Health and Safety Standards Check List and maintains a facility that meets or exceeds minimum standards.

Assistance Planning - Assistance planning relates to the consideration of certain individuals living together as a family group. The assistance plan shall consist of those members in the family group who are part of the mandatory filing unit and who are applying for or receiving cash assistance, plus other family group members for whom assistance is requested.

Authorized - Indicates final approval of a child care plan or payment issuance.

Banking Child Care Benefits - Accepting payments from families using DCF child care benefits for future care outside of the terms required by the signed and dated family/provider contract to use later. Child Care Assistance Payments made with the EBT card that exceed the amount owed to the provider, based on the terms in the written contract, must be returned to DCF. If enrollment fees or deposits are included in the signed and dated family/provider contract, using available child care benefits for payment is not considered banking.

Beginning Months - A beginning month is either of the first two consecutive months for which a household is certified to receive benefits initially or following a break in certification of one month or more as a monthly reporting household.

Benefit Month - A benefit month is a calendar month for which the agency issues a benefit (also known as issuance month).

Boarders - Individuals or groups of individuals residing in a commercial boarding facility or residing with others and paying reasonable compensation to the others for meals.

Break in Assistance - A full calendar month in which there is no eligibility for assistance and no benefits are issued.

Caretaker - For TANF, a caretaker is any of the following: 1) a blood or adoptive relative within the fifth degree of kinship to the dependent child; 2) a stepparent or stepsibling; 3) a court- appointed guardian, conservator or legal custodian; or 4) the spouses or former spouses of any of these persons. (See KEESM 2220.)

A caretaker is the person who is assigned the primary responsibility for the care and control of the child either singly or, in the case of a caretaker and spouse who live together, jointly. For married couples other than the child's parents (e.g., grandparents, aunt, uncle, etc.), caretaker status can be extended to both individuals.

Cash Assistance - Also known as TANF, which stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, is a program that provides financial help. To qualify for TANF, there must be at least one child living in the home. This child can be an unborn baby, a child under 18 years old, or a child who is 18 years old and still working towards their High School Diploma or a GED. This is a monthly benefit that can assist with essential expenses, such as rent or mortgage, utilities, school costs, and other basic living needs.

Case Management - A process designed to support and strengthen the client’s capacity to become self-sufficient and to help assure that clients and their families have access to resources and opportunities for self-sufficiency. The case management process involves assessment, planning, decision making, and problem solving. The career navigator, client, and service provider (if applicable) form a partnership in this process.

Child - As a general rule, a person who is under the age of 18 years old and is not able to act in their own behalf per 2110. In addition, for TANF and Child Care purposes, a child also includes an individual who is 18 and working towards attainment of a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Child Abuse and Neglect - Refer to Children and Family Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Child Abuse and Neglect Registry - A computerized name-based list of persons who have been confirmed for child abuse or neglect or sexual abuse. The name of a perpetrator is not confirmed in the central registry unless and until they have been afforded an opportunity for an interview and have exercised their right of appeal or the time limit for appeal has expired without action.

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Participant - A licensed child care provider receiving financial reimbursement for food expenditures from the State Department of Education for meals served to low-income children.

Child Care Assistance - A service for a child based on the demonstrated needs of the child and/or his or her family. Benefit issued by DCF for all or a portion of a family’s child care costs.

For TANF - TANF clients participating in an Employment Services Activity (Work Program) may be eligible for Child Care. Child Care hours will be authorized based on expected participation hours of work program activity.  

Child Care Center (CCC) - A facility that provides

Child Care Critical Incident (Non-Abuse Neglect) - An incident that potentially may draw political, legislative, or public attention or media involvement. Examples may be Emergency Suspension due to issues not related to abuse or neglect (such as overcapacity) that have come to the attention of the media. Emergency closing by a provider resulting in large displacement of children from families receiving DCF benefits and has come to the attention of the media. Federal Fraud investigation initiated. PPS completes all Critical Incident Reports on Child Care Providers when there is alleged Abuse or Neglect.

Child Care Facility - A licensed child care center, preschool, family child care home, public school, or Head Start program that provides care for part of the 24-hour day for a child who is not related by blood, marriage, or adoption to the owner or operator. The facility includes physical structure, staff, furnishings and program materials used to deliver the service.

Child Care Facility Surveyor - A person employed by the State or local Health Department who approves facilities for licensure.

Child Care Plan - The document given to an eligible client identifies hours child care is authorized, and the amount of any family share deduction.

Child Care Provider Capacity - The maximum number of children allowed by license to be present at any one time in a child care facility.

Child Development Associate (CDA) - A national credentialing program administered by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C. designed to enhance the Quality of child care. The national standards used to evaluate a caregiver’s performance with children and families are divided into six goals which are common to all child care settings and 13 functional areas.

Client - Person applying for or receiving benefits. The term client encompasses the terms applicant, recipient, family, parent-guardian- caretaker, customer, and consumer.

Client Overissuance - An overissuance which is caused by a misunderstanding or by an unintentional error on the part of the household. This type of overissuance is also known as a client-caused non-fraud overissuance.

Complaint - A communication, either written or verbal, alleging children have been abused and/or neglected or a provider is in non-compliance with statutes, regulations, or payment policies and procedures.

Complaint Investigation - An investigation by DCF, KDHE, and/or Law Enforcement which includes allegations of child abuse or neglect, alleged violations of KDHE regulations as conditions of licensure or registration, alleged failure to meet regulatory standards by a home approved to care for youth 16 years or older or a relative home, or alleged failure to comply with terms of a provider agreement between DCF and the child care provider.

Compliance - The condition  exists when all the relevant statutes, administrative regulations, agency policies and procedures are met by the child care facility.

Contracted Employment Services - Employment related services  are provided to work program participants by a provider based on the provision of a provider agreement. Services include: Job Development, Placement, and Monitoring; On-the Job Training (OJT) Development, Placement, and Monitoring; Comprehensive Job Coaching; Job Club Workshop; Life Skills Workshop; Job Retention; Special Projects; and Vocational Assessment; Adult Education; TABE; Domestic Violence; Job Skills Training; LD Diagnostic; Mental Health Supported Employment; Parenting; Psychological Assessment; Substance Abuse Education; Transportation; Combined Job Club/Life Skills; Pilot Project; and Job Readiness.  

Coordinated Transit District - Kansas Department of Transportation designated public or not-for- profit agency with an established purpose to distribute federal and state funds and monitor implementation of passenger transportation services in a designated area of the State. There are ten Coordinated Transit Districts throughout Kansas.

Corrective Action - Changes in the environment, behaviors, procedures, and supervision, the operator of a child care center or home must take to be in compliance with statutory, regulatory or Provider Agreement requirements.

DCF Critical Incident Team - Individuals and positions designated by the Secretary of DCF to receive information regarding adult or child deaths and other critical incidents. “Critical Incidents” is a group name in the agency’s email address book.

Denial (Provider) - An official refusal by KDHE or DCF to grant licensure, registration and/or a Provider Agreement due to one or more of the following reasons:

Developmentally Delayed - Children having one or more conditions that impede the appropriate behavior of their chronological age in one or more of the following areas: motor functioning, self-help skills, cognition, communication, or interaction with their social and/or physical environment. Special assistance is required to minimize or to compensate for the identified limitation.

Disabled - For food assistance and TANF program purposes, a disabled person is any person who meets one of the following criteria. The individual’s disability must be verified in accordance with this definition. For ease of reference, the mandatory verification requirements are specified following each of the disability criteria.

Disabled is any person who:

1. receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for disability or blindness under title XVI of the Social Security Act or receives disability or blindness benefits under title II of the Social Security Act. Receipt of the above benefits must be verified for an individual to be considered disabled under this criteria. Individuals are also considered disabled when receiving presumptive SSI benefits. Individuals considered 1619b are also considered disabled for food assistance and TANF purposes. Such individuals continue to be blind or continue to have disabling physical or mental impairment on the basis of which they were found to be under a disability and, except for their  earnings, meets all non-disability-related requirements for eligibility for benefits under this title.
   NOTE: 1619b SSI recipients, though considered disabled, are not considered categorically eligible for food assistance.

2. is a veteran with a service-connected or nonservice-connected disability rated by the Veteran's Administration (VA) as total or paid as total by the VA under title 38 of the United States Code. For verification of disability under this criteria, the household must present a statement from the VA that clearly indicates that the disabled individual is receiving VA disability benefits and that the disability is rated as total or paid at the total rate by the VA.

3. is a veteran considered by the VA to need regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound under title 38 of the United States Code; or is the surviving spouse of a veteran and considered by the VA to  need  regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound; or is a surviving child of a veteran and considered by the VA to be permanently incapable of self-support under title 38 of the United States Code. Verification that the disabled individual is receiving VA disability benefits is sufficient verification of disability under this criteria.

4. is a surviving spouse or child of a veteran and:

   1. is receiving, or is approved for, compensation of pension benefits through the Veterans Administration under title 38 of the United States Code as a result of the veteran's death; and

   2. has a disability that would be considered permanent under section 221(I) of the Social Security Act (whether or not the individual has applied for or been approved for any benefits for that disability).

5. receives disability retirement benefits from a governmental agency because of a disability considered permanent under section 221(I) of the Social Security Act.
   
   NOTE: The specific impairments that are classified as permanent disabilities under section 221(I) of the Social Security Act are found in the Appendix.
   
   If it is obvious to the worker that the individual has one of the listed disabilities, the household shall be considered to have verified the disability. If the disability is not obvious to the worker, the household shall provide a statement from a physician or licensed or certified psychologist certifying that the individual has one of the non-obvious disabilities as a means for verification of disability under items 4 and 5 of this page.

6. receives an annuity payment under section 2(a)(1)(iv) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 and is determined to be eligible to receive Medicare by the Railroad Retirement Board; or receives an annuity payment under section 2(a)(1)(v) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 and is determined to be disabled based upon the criteria used under title XVI of the Social Security Act. For verification of this criteria, the household shall provide proof that the individual receives a Railroad Retirement disability annuity from the Railroad Retirement Board and has been determined to qualify for Medicare.

7. is a recipient of disability-related medical assistance benefits under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. In Kansas, anyone receiving medical assistance (including persons on a spenddown) as a result of a disability determination made by DDS per 2662.2(3) or a Tier 1 presumptive determination in accordance with 2662.1 would qualify as disabled for the purposes of this provision.

Disaster -  For purposes of replacing food destroyed in a disaster, a household disaster includes fire, flood, tornado, and accompanying loss of electricity. A disaster would also include loss of electricity due to ice/ thunderstorms and household misfortunes such as: appliance breakdowns, sewer back-ups, and resulting flooding and other household misfortunes that result in loss of food purchased with food assistance benefits.

Discipline - The ongoing process of helping children develop inner control to be able to manage their  behavior and emotions in a socially approved manner.

Displacement - A term used to describe working conditions of regular employees in businesses where work program participants are placed in work sites or OJT contracts. The assignment of the participant may not infringe in any way on the employment of the regular employee which includes the reduction of non-overtime hours, wages, employment benefits, or promotional opportunities.

Diversion Payment (TANF) - The $1,000 Lump Sum Non-Recurrent Diversion payment is only available to adult applicants or emancipated minors if they have not received TANF benefits in Kansas or any other state. It is designed to help TANF-eligible families in a crisis or emergency situation that would endanger their ability to remain employed or to accept an offer of employment.  

Effective Date - The date upon which a child care plan becomes effective, and the first day for which benefits may be issued for child care services.

Emancipated Minor - A person who is less than 18 years old who has been emancipated by the courts or has been married.

Enrollment Fee -  An initial one-time fee subsidized by DCF to enroll a child for care.

Expiration Date - The date upon which a child care plan is scheduled to expire, and the last day for which benefits may be issued for child care services. The expiration date must be at least twelve calendar months following the effective date of the child care plan, and may not occur after the end of the eligibility period.

Expungement of Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry - A written request to the Secretary of DCF by an individual identified as a confirmed perpetrator of abuse or neglect to have his or her name removed from the child abuse and neglect registry. Refer to Children and Family Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Family Child Care Home - A child care facility in which care is provided for a maximum of 12 children under 16 years of age and includes children under 10 years of age related to the provider. This could require two providers depending on  the total number and ages of children in care.

Family Group - A family group is defined as the client and all individuals living together in which there is a legal and/or caretaker relationship. (See KEESM 2220 for temporary absences.)

Family Income and Share Deduction Schedule - The schedule shows family share deduction amounts based on gross income and the number of people in the family. The schedule applies to income eligible families.

Family Members Living Away from Home (Food Assistance, TANF, Child Care) - A person living away from home is considered a  family member if the person maintains their permanent residence with that family and continues to function as a family member even if the maintenance provided is inadequate. (KEESM 2223)

Family Size - The number of persons living in the household who shall be included when determining financial eligibility for TANF, food and child care assistance. Also known as nuclear family or household size.   

Family Share Deduction - An amount deducted from the child care benefit before it is issued to a parent’s EBT card/account, determined by family size and income. DCF will issue benefits to the client’s EBT card/account for the total cost of care (at DCF payment rates) after first subtracting any family share deduction assignment.

Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC) - A program administered through the Internal Revenue Service that provides a special tax benefit for low- income employed individuals and families. Eligible individuals can select to receive the benefit in a lump sum payment at the end of the year or may choose to receive the benefit as part of their paycheck throughout the year, commonly referred to as the Advance Payment Option.

Fleeing Felon - A fleeing felon is an individual who is avoiding prosecution or custody for a crime, or an attempt to commit a crime, that is classified as a felony.

Foster Care - Out-of-home placement of a child in DCF custody in a licensed or approved facility.

Fraud Overissuance - An overissuance which is the result of an intentional program violation on the part of the household. To be determined as a fraud overissuance, one of the following criteria shall have been met:

Guardian - An adult who has been declared legally responsible for the performance of parental functions for a minor. Parental functions are the provision of food, clothing, shelter, or supervision of the minor.

Homeless Children (Child Care) -

Homeless Individual (Food Assistance and TANF) - An  individual is considered homeless when they lack a fixed and regular nighttime residence or  the individual’s  primary nighttime residence is:

An individual who will imminently lose their nighttime residence is also considered homeless.

NOTE: Residents of battered women’s shelters are considered homeless. Residents of alcohol and drug abuse treatment facilities are NOT considered homeless.

Hourly Rate - The provider’s charge per hour to a client who purchases child care services.

Household - For Food Assistance, the household consists of all persons who live together and purchase and prepare meals together, or who are required to do so. See KEESM 4211.

For TANF, - a household includes the child for whom assistance is requested. In the event of pregnancy, the unborn baby is also included. The household can have blood-related and adoptive minor siblings of the child or unborn baby. It also includes the biological or adoptive parents and the spouse of the parent for all the children in the household. See KEESM 4111

For Child Care, the household includes an adult who resides with a child or children for whom that adult is the primary caretaker, adults who are married to each other, adults who are not married to each other but reside together as boyfriend/girlfriend (as long as one of the adults is the primary caretaker of the child for whom assistance is requested, the minor biological and/or adopted children of the adults on the case who reside in the same household, as well as other children who reside in the household and for whom an adult on the case is the primary caretaker.

Informal Child Care - Care for a child which is legally exempt from regulation.

In-Home Relative Child Care Provider (INH) - Child care provided in the child’s own home by a relative at least 18 years of age,  not a member of the eligible families assistance case, or living in the same physical household.

In LOCO Parentis - The person with the legal right and responsibility to act as a parent.

Income Eligible (Non-TANF) Child Care - Benefits for families in which no one in the assistance plan receives TANF and whose income falls within 185% of the current State Median Income. These families may be food assistance recipients See the DCF Family Income and Share Deduction Schedule for specific income limitations.

Income Month - An income month is the calendar month from which the agency uses income and deductions to determine the household's benefits for a corresponding benefit month.

Infant - A child whose chronological and/or developmental age is between birth and 12 months. Licensed providers may care for infants from birth. Child Care Centers may care for infants from age two weeks.

Information and Referral (I&R) - Inquiries received at intake which result only in the provision of information to the reporter or a referral for assistance elsewhere.

Intensive Case Management - An individualized holistic service is provided to those individuals with severe multiple, and often persistent, barriers to self-sufficiency.

Severe barriers may include,  but are not limited to, chronic or recurring mental illness, mental retardation, drug or alcohol addiction, learning disabilities, criminal records, low academic achievement, domestic violence, multiple spells of public aid, poor or no work history, teen parents and domestic life complication precluding sustained employment leading to self-sufficiency. Individuals may have a combination of barriers.

Intensive case management, as opposed to case management, provides more immediate and frequent individualized contacts for the purposes of information sharing, decision making, monitoring, problem-solving, motivation, and guidance. Intensive case management contacts include frequent phone or face-to-face meetings. They may occur in the DCF office, the individual’s home, work sites or other appropriate locations such as collateral local helping agencies, schools, medical, legal, and ADA treatment providers, law enforcement offices, or offices of providers under contract to DCF.

Intensive case management services may be on-going over time based on the changing needs of the individual. Intensive case management services require referrals to, and close collaboration with, other local helping services.

Job Contact - Area EES staff have the flexibility to define the requirements of a “job contact” in order to address specific local issues.

Juvenile Offender - A person 10 or more years of age but less than 18 who commits an act while a juvenile which if done by an adult would constitute the commission of a felony or misdemeanor (K.S.A. 38-1602).

Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) - The state agency responsible for administering the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Special Education (part-day) programs for developmentally delayed or preschool- age children having handicapping conditions.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) - The state agency responsible for licensing and registration of Child Care Centers, Preschools, and Licensed Family Child Care Homes.

Kansas Earned Income Credit - A tax credit available to qualifying low- income Kansas residents. The Kansas EIC is equal to ten percent of the allowed federal EIC.

Known to the Agency - Food Assistance, Cash Assistance (TANF), and Child Care Assistance - If the casefile or KEES clearly documents the caseworker’s direct knowledge of a change in circumstances, the change is considered known to the agency.

Legally Responsible Person - The legally responsible relative is the person who has the legal responsibility to provide support for the person in need (spouse for spouse and parent for child).

License - A document issued by KDHE which authorizes the licensee to operate and maintain a child care facility or agency.

Local Workforce Investment Board (LWIB) - In partnership with the chief elected official(s), the LWIB sets policy for the portion of the statewide workforce investment system within the local plan.

Low Income (Child Care) - Families whose income does not exceed 85% of the current year’s State Median Income or their family size. Refer to the DCF Family Income and Share Deduction Schedule for specific income limitations.

Mandatory Filing Unit (TANF)- The mandatory filing unit is defined as those persons within the family group who are required to be included in determining eligibility and the amount of benefits. A cohabiting boyfriend or girlfriend, including same-sex partners, of the legally responsible person of the child will be included as part of the mandatory filing unit.

Migrant - A migrant is a person who moves regularly to find work in harvesting crops or other agricultural activities.

Minor - A person who is less than 18 years old.

Minor able to act in their own behalf - A minor determined to be emancipated or a non-emancipated minor whose parents are deceased, institutionalized, or whose whereabouts are unknown; no other caretaker is available or willing to assume parental control; or the minor’s health and safety would be jeopardized by remaining in the parent/caretaker’s home.

Monitoring - Periodic desk audits and on-site evaluations of facilities to determine operational and program performance in accordance with the laws, regulations, and Provider Agreements under which the facilities operate.

Notice of Action - Written notification to an individual of a DCF finding, decision, or action concerning the recipient.

Occupational Outlook - Book from the Department of Human Resources indicating potential for employment in a given field.

Out of Home Relative Care - Child care provided by a relative in the relative’s own home that has met approved standards.

Out of Home Relative Child Care Provider - Child care is provided by a relative in their home who is at least 18 years of age and  is not a member of the eligible families assistance case,  or living in the same physical household.

Post-Confirmation Corrective Action Plan - A written agreement between DCF and an identified perpetrator of child abuse and/or neglect stating specific action to be taken by the perpetrator within a designated period of time. Successful completion of the action will prevent entering the perpetrator’s name in the CAN Central Registry.

Probation/Parole Violator - A person who is violating a condition of his/her probation or parole under a federal or state law.

Program Director - The staff person of a child care center or preschool who meets the requirements for this position, is approved by KDHE, and is responsible for implementing and supervising the program.

Progress Review - Employment Services (Work Program) Progress reviews are completed as needed but no less than once every 6 months while a work program participant is involved in assigned activities and should assess whether the participant is making satisfactory progress toward self-sufficiency.  The Career Navigator will determine the need for a face-to-face or telephonic review for any or all activities.

Prohibited Person - An individual who may not reside, work or volunteer in a child care facility as described in K.S.A. 65-516.

Project Area - A project area is the administrative unit for the Food Assistance Program operation. In Kansas, the State is the project area.

Prospective Budgeting - Prospective budgeting is the calculation of a household's eligibility and allotment amount based on an estimate reflecting circumstances as they were, or are expected to be, in the calendar month for which eligibility and allotment amount are being calculated.

Provider - A person, firm, corporation, public school, Head Start or association which provides child care services.

Provider Enrollment - The process of filling out an application to gather needed information for approval of a DCF enrolled child care provider.

Provider ID - The 7-digit vendor identification number by which the provider is known on the EBT Merchant Management System. The same number is used to identify providers in the KEES system.

Provider Mailing Address - The address where the provider's notices and other information will be mailed.

Provider Physical Address - The physical address of the residence or facility where child care services are provided.

Provider Type - Provider types include Child Care Centers (CCC), LIcensed Family Child Care Home (LIC), Out-of-Home Relative Providers (REL), and In-Home Care (INH) and Unregulated.

Purchase and Prepare Statement - A statement written by a food assistance household which states that they are purchasing and preparing food separately from others living in the home.

Reasonable Distance - Total daily transport time to and from home to the child care provider does not exceed two hours. If a longer transport time is generally accepted in the community, the round- trip transport time shall not exceed the generally accepted community standards.

Reasonable Time - The response time to report abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse. In no instance shall the response time exceed 20 working days. Refer to the Children and Family Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Regular Household - A food assistance household which contains no elderly or disabled members. (See definitions for elderly and disabled in this section.)

Resource & Referral Agency (R&R) - A licensed association, organization, individual, or corporation providing support services for families in need of child care services. These agencies provide families with information regarding the availability, types, costs and locations of child care services. They also provide recruitment, training and technical assistance to child care providers.

Respite Care - Child care which is provided to allow a client time away from a child. This type of care can not be paid from child care funds.

Retention Services - Services to participants that remove barriers and provide skills for retaining employment. Services may include, but are not limited to, pre-employment workshops, post-employment workshops, support groups, one-on-one post-employment follow-up, monitoring of employment programs, upgrading skills, education or training.

Retroactive Cash Assistance Payment - For food assistance purposes, a retroactive cash assistance payment is defined as a cash payment made for a month which is received in a subsequent month. Retroactive cash assistance payments are exempt as income per KEESM 6410 (7) (b).

Review Date - The final day of the eligibility period for child care services, and the last day for which benefits may be issued for child care if a plan is authorized.

The review date for TANF and Food Assistance indicates the month in which benefits are due to expire and a review must be completed.  

Revocation - The official notice of termination of a license, certificate or registration issued to a child care provider by the Secretary of KDHE based upon documented non-compliance.

Roomers - Individuals or groups of individuals residing with others and paying compensation to the others for a room (or rooms) but no meals.

School Aged Child Care Program - KDHE definition for licensing  regulations: child care provided for a child who will or has attained the age of five years on or after June 1 through the age of 12 years. Federal funding source definition: child care provided for a child from the age of six years up to the age of 13 years. For DCF child care benefits the age range 6-13 years is used.

Seasonal Farm Worker - A seasonal farm worker is a person who works on a farm or ranch on a seasonal basis when the work is generally within commuting distance of his home.

NOTE: A person who works on his/her own or leased or rented farmland on a year-round or seasonal basis is not a seasonal farm worker for the purposes of this definition.

Self-Sufficiency Agreement - A written agreement between the agency and the participant detailing the components, activities and services to be used by the participant to accomplish the self-sufficiency plan.

Special Household - A food assistance household that contains at least one member who is elderly or disabled. (See definitions for elderly and disabled in this section.)

Special Needs Children - Children with developmental disabilities, mental retardation, emotional disturbance, sensory or motor impairment, or significant chronic illness who require special health surveillance or specialized programs, interventions, technologies, or facilities.

Special Needs Provider - A child care provider who has been authorized for enhanced rates for the provision of routine, non- specialized care for children with special needs.

Special Purpose Center - A program in which specialized services are provided and the staff or provider has a special education background and other specialists are available, i.e. speech therapist, physical therapist.

Specialized Services - Services authorized by a physician, psychologist, special education specialist or other professional to overcome a child’s developmental delay. These services include, but are not limited to, language services, social services, screening and assessment, psychological services, audiological services, educational, physical therapy, occupational or speech therapy.

Spouse - For eligibility purposes, "spouse" refers to either of two individuals:

Substantial Rehabilitation - For TANF Work Program purposes, Substantial Rehabilitation is defined as an individual who has a condition(s) that will require major rehabilitation or treatment over an extended period of time. This definition is to be used in conjunction with the definition of Long Term.

Substitute Care - Care provided in a child care facility or by a provider other than the primary facility or provider listed on a child care plan.

Support Services (TANF) - Support services are available to TANF applicants and recipients who are actively participating with Employment Services. These services help with individual barriers and can be used for expenses related to work program participation.

TANF Child Care - TANF Child Care is used when any member of the nuclear family receives TANF. This category may be used for Tribal TANF participants.

Temporary Permit - Authorization issued at the discretion of KDHE to operate a licensed child care facility for a period not to exceed 90 days following receipt of an initial application for license. Facilities operating under a temporary license are not eligible to enroll as a DCF provider due to unmet CCDF Health and Safety requirements.  

Terminated Plan - A child care plan which has been closed when care is no longer desired, or when a family becomes ineligible for services .

Depending upon the specific circumstances, timely and adequate notice may be required.

Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) - A comprehensive and reliable academic assessment used to provide a solid foundation for effectively assessing the skills and knowledge of adult learners. Part of this assessment system may be administered by trained EES staff or by contracting out to other community agencies.

EES staff use this information to assist in assigning participants to the most appropriate program component.

Thrifty Food Plan - The thrifty food plan means the diet required to feed a family of four persons consisting of a man and a woman 20 through 50, a child 6 through 8, and a child 9 through 11 years of age, as determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The cost of this diet is the basis for uniform food assistance allotments for all households regardless of their actual composition.

Time-Limited Assistance (TANF) - There is a 24-month time limit to receive TANF cash assistance if they do not meet hardship criteria. TANF cash assistance received in another state or from tribes is included in the countable months.  

Up to 36 months of TANF cash assistance may be provided in cases that meet hardship requirements.

Toddler - A child between 12 and 35 months of age.

Training - An agency approved instructional program, including undergraduate college, vocational program, or publicly funded training program with an identifiable occupational goal for which there is an employment demand.

Training Plan - Documentation of agency approval for an individual’s involvement in education or training activities based upon individual needs and standards set by the educational training facility.

Transitional Services (TANF) - Individuals may qualify for support services, which include transportation and Special Services Allowance, as well as costs for education, job skills training, and vocational education activities. They can also receive contracted employment services for up to 12 months after losing TANF cash assistance.

Tribal TANF - Native Americans who are Tribal TANF recipients participating in Work Programs. Child care for Tribal TANF participants may be provided through the TANF child care subtype.

Unavailable Child Care - Child care cannot be found after contacting the local resource and referral agency and county health department. In addition, no relatives willing to provide out-of-home or in-home care are available.

Validation - Validation is the report made by DCF to KDHE to verify that a person whose name has been screened has been entered in the CAN Central Registry as a perpetrator of child abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse.

Vendor Payment System - A statewide electronic payment system to pay vendors for services provided.

Waiting List - Following a determination of eligibility for child care services, if no funding currently exists to provide the services, eligible families will be placed on a waiting list until funding becomes available.

Work Incentive Payment (TANF) - This payment helps clients maintain employment when TANF closes due to excess earned income. This payment can be issued for five (5) consecutive months and will be counted in the 24-month TANF lifetime limit.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) - A federal initiative administered jointly by the Departments of Treasury and Labor. The purpose of the tax credit is to promote the hiring of disadvantaged unemployed individuals.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) - This legislation reforms Federal job training programs and creates a new, comprehensive workforce investment system. This reformed system is intended to be customer-focused, to help Americans access the tools they need to manage their careers through information and high-quality services, and to help U.S. companies find skilled workers.

Work Program (TANF) - This program is designed to strengthen families and remove barriers to employment.