Title 4 — Public Care Systems.

(a) The Mayor may transfer subsidy payments to a relative caregiver upon the death or mental or physical incapacity of a grandparent if: (1) The relative caregiver files an application for a subsidy within 30 days of becoming the child’s primary caregiver; (2) The relative caregi…

(a) All subsidies established under this chapter shall be subject to the availability of appropriations. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as creating an entitlement to a subsidy for any person. (b) Pursuant to § 4-251.06, the Mayor shall establish by rule the amount of …

No later than January 1 of each year, beginning in 2007, the Mayor shall issue a report to the Council on the subsidy program established by this chapter. At a minimum, the report shall include: (a)(1) The number of applications filed for the subsidy; (2) The number of subsidies …

The Mayor, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, may issue rules to implement the provisions of this chapter. The proposed rules shall be submitted to the Council for a 30-day period of review, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, and days of Council recess. …

(a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as relieving the parent of a child from any child support order regarding the child for whom a grandparent or relative caregiver is receiving a subsidy under this chapter. (b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to create a ne…

For the purpose of this subchapter, the term: (1) “Categorical eligibility” means the automatic eligibility for the food stamps program as determined by the enrollment in a separate TANF funded program. (2) “Food stamp program” means the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition As…

(a) The Mayor shall establish a TANF funded program or service for the purpose of establishing categorical eligibility. (b) Categorical eligibility shall be granted to all applicants with a gross income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

(a) The Mayor shall establish a LIHEAP Heat and Eat initiative for the purpose of providing the maximum standard utility allowance to all participants. (b) All food stamp program recipients shall be automatically enrolled in the LIHEAP Heat and Eat initiative. (c) All LIHEAP Heat…

Beginning on or after January 1, 2015, but beginning no later than October 1, 2015, a family participating in the food stamp program whose federally funded household benefit is less than $30 per month shall receive locally funded benefits to bring the household’s total benefit to…

A qualified household that ceases to receive cash assistance under the District’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (“TANF”) program, funded by federal TANF funds, District Maintenance of Effort (“MOE”) funds, or any other cash assistance received under a state-funded progr…

No later than March 31, 2011, the Mayor shall submit to the United States Department of Agriculture, a proposal to use a standard self-employment deduction, with an option for an applicant to prove actual expenses in the event that the applicant’s expenses exceed the set standard…

Beginning on January 1, 2011, and every 6 months thereafter, the Mayor shall provide the following information, delineated by month, to the Council, the: (1) Number of households participating in the District’s cash assistance TANF programs; (2) Number of households participating…

(a) There is established within the Department of Human Services (“Department”) a SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery, or SOAR Pilot Program (“Program”) to provide application assistance for individuals applying to receive Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) and Social Secur…

(a) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, the Mayor may conclude arrangements with persons or institutions at such rates as may be agreed upon. (b)(1) The Mayor may make adoption subsidy payments to an adoptive family (irrespective of the state of residence of the…

The Mayor may: (1) Accept for care, custody, and guardianship dependent or neglected children whose custody or parental control has been transferred to the Mayor, and to provide for the care and support of such children during their minority or during the term of their commitment…

As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) “Adoption assistance state” means the state that is signatory to an adoption assistance agreement in a particular case. (2) “Department” means the District of Columbia Department of Human Services. (3) “Reside…

The Council of the District of Columbia finds that: (1) Finding adoptive families for children, for whom state assistance is desirable pursuant § 4-301, and assuring the protection of the interests of children affected during the entire assistance period, require special measures…

The purposes of this subchapter are to: (1) Provide procedures for interstate children’s adoption assistance payments, including medical payments; and (2) Authorize the Mayor to enter into interstate agreements with agencies of other states for the protection of children on behal…

(a) A child with special needs who is resident in the District and who is the subject of an adoption assistance agreement with another state shall be entitled to receive a medical assistance identification from the District upon the filing with the Department of a certified copy …

The Mayor is authorized to develop, participate in the development of, negotiate, and enter into one or more interstate compacts on behalf of the District with other states to protect children on behalf of whom adoption assistance is being provided by the District and to provide …

A compact entered into pursuant to the authority conferred by this subchapter shall have the following content: (1) A provision making it available for joinder by all states. (2) A provision or provisions for withdrawal from the compact upon written notice to the parties, but wit…

A compact entered into pursuant to this subchapter may contain the following provisions in addition to those required pursuant to § 4-326. (1) Provisions establishing procedures for and entitlement to medical and other necessary social services for the child in accordance with ap…

Consistent with federal law, the Department, in connection with the administration of this subchapter and any compact pursuant hereto, shall include in any state plan made pursuant to the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-272), Titles IV(E) and XIX of the…

(a) The long term needs of District of Columbia children who are in foster care are not being served. Although the Adoption and Safe Families Amendment Act of 2000 shortens the time in which children may remain in foster care, many of these children require additional assistance …

For the purpose of this subchapter, the term: (1) “Attorneys’ fees” means the legal costs and expenses which are directly related to the adoption of a foster child or foster children. (2) “Foster care” means 24 hour substitute care for children placed away from their parents or g…

There is established the Adoption Incentive Program (“Program”). The purpose of the Program is to provide foster parents with access to a one-time financial assistance package to assist them with the expenses associated with attorneys’ fees and the homestudy relating to the adopt…

(a) There is established the Adoption Voucher Fund (“Fund”). The Fund shall be comprised of $2 million of the $5 million appropriated in the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2000, approved November 29, 1999 (Pub. L. No. 106-113; 113 Stat. 1501), and additional funds in th…

(a) There is established the Adoption Support Fund (“Support Fund”). The Support Fund shall be comprised of $3 million of the $5 million appropriated in the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2000, approved November 29, 1999 (Pub. L. No. 106-113; 113 Stat. 1501), and additi…

(a) A foster parent may receive the following: (1) A voucher for the payment of $1,500 for a homestudy for each foster child or related sibling group; and (2) A voucher for the payment of $5,000 for attorneys’ fees for each foster child or related sibling group; provided that, th…

(a) The Child and Family Services Agency (“CFSA”) shall administer the Program and the Fund. CFSA shall: (1) Within 180 days of October 19, 2000, identify children whose permanency plans are adoption, for as long as funds are available from the Fund; (2) Obtain a document signed …

(a)(1) A prospective adoptive parent or an adoptive parent (“adoptive parent”) and the birth parent or other birth relative of a prospective adoptee or adoptee (“adoptee”) may enter into a written post-adoption contact agreement (“PAC agreement”) to allow contact, after the adopt…

(a) As used in this chapter: (1) The term “child” means an individual between the ages of birth and 15 years. (1A) The term “Child Development Associate credential” means a credential recognized by the Council for Professional Recognition and accepted by the Office of the State S…

The Department is hereby authorized to provide a broad program of day care services for children of parents referred or approved by the Department for various training and work incentive programs, for children of other parents known to the Department where day care appears to be …

(a) In Fiscal Year 2004, the Department may transfer no more than $6 million to the D.C. Public Schools for the purpose of funding an after-school day care program pursuant to a memorandum of understanding. The memorandum of understanding shall include the following program requi…

Repealed Repealed.

Repealed Repealed.

(a) The Mayor is hereby authorized to supplement the cost of child care services with District funds when appropriated and available for the following: (1) Children of families who are receiving assistance under the TANF program and whose families are attempting through work acti…

(a) Parents who receive day care services pursuant to § 4-404 [repealed] shall pay a portion of services according to the sliding scale set forth in subsection (b) of this section. (b) Increment Adjusted Income Parent Fee (Percent of Child Care Paid by Parent) 1 Under $8,020 Flat…

The Department shall be responsible for payment of day care fees to: (1) A child development home, after admission of a particular child, for its part of the appropriate rate for up to 15 consecutive days for that child when absence is caused by illness of the child or a change i…

An overpayment by the Department to a child development center, child development home, or to an in-home caregiver who is continuing to provide day care services shall be collectible in any amount.

The collection of an overpayment of not more than $25 may be waived for child development centers, child development homes, or in-home caregivers who are no longer providing day care services for the Department.

(a) The Department shall, on an annual basis, enter into contracts or agreements with licensed child development centers to provide day care services for children described in § 4-404.01. Payment for such services shall be on the following basis: (1) Subject to subsections (b) th…

(a) Payments to child development homes and to in-home caregivers shall be made according to the following rates: (1) For full care: (A) Child development homes shall receive $12 per day for each child. (B) In-home caregivers shall receive $7.25 per day for each child for care du…

Guidelines and standards for in-home care shall be as follows: (1) In-home care within the child’s own home, by an in-home caregiver, shall be used only when other day care plans are not feasible and in-home care offers greater benefits to the mother or other responsible relative…

(a) Any child development center or child development home that contracts or agrees with the Department to provide day care shall comply with all applicable provisions of Regulation No. 74-34 (Child Development Facilities Regulation). (b) Licenses issued to child development faci…

(a) The Department shall be responsible for monitoring the provision of day care services to assure that adequate services are provided to the children and that contractual and other agreements are met. (b) The Department shall develop and publish procedures that will assure that…

The Department is hereby authorized to make grants to private agencies that work with child development homes and to licensed child development centers for the purpose of developing or operating satellite child development home programs.

(a) Notwithstanding §§ 4-402 through 4-410, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (“OSSE”) shall establish a pilot community-based Quality Improvement Network (“QIN”) composed of: (1) Child development hubs, selected through a competitive process, that will provide …

For the purposes of this chapter the term: (1) “Board” means the Crime Victims Compensation Appeals Board. (2) “Claimant” means a person who makes a claim for compensation under this chapter and who is a: (A) Victim; (B) Secondary victim; or (C) Person acting on behalf of a victi…

There is established a Crime Victims Compensation Program (“Program”) that shall administer all funds from all sources for the purpose of investigating and, where appropriate, compensating the claims of victims of violent crime in the District of Columbia.