NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Department of Health proposes to change regulations on the Child Care Assistance Program related to administrative and family provisions, and eligible activity definitions. |
The Department of Health proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with the Child Care Assistance Program, including the following:
- Article 1. Administrative Provisions, 7 AAC 41. Program rates, is proposed to be changed as follows: revise the Child Care Assistance Program Rate Schedule rates related to the maximum state payment to a child care provider.
- Article 3. Provisions for Family, 7 AAC 41.310 - .335, is proposed to be changed as follows:
- clarify the cessation of an eligible activity;
- amend time limit for absence from an eligible activity; and
- revise the Family Income and Contribution Schedule.
- Article 5. Definitions, 7 AAC 41.990, is proposed to be changed as follows: amend definitions related to eligible activity.
You may comment on the regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the changes, by submitting written comments to Ms. Nicole Fritz, State of Alaska, Department of Health, Child Care Program Office, Division of Public Assistance, 3601 C Street, Suite 140, Anchorage, AK 99503. Additionally, the Department of Health will accept comments by electronic mail at nicole.fritz@alaska.gov . The comments must be received not later than 5 p.m. on August 31, 2022.
You may provide oral comments relevant to the proposed action via telephone at the hearing to be held on August 18, 2022, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., by calling 1-800-909-4578 (toll free). Please note that in-person attendance will not be permitted at the hearing site because of the public health and safety concerns associated with the COVID – 19 pandemic. Please prepare to share your oral comments by telephone only. If you call to provide oral testimony, you should be on the line before the hearing begins at 1 p.m. The Department of Health will give priority to those who call in before 2 p.m. The Department of Health may, before the hearing begins, limit the time allotted for each person providing oral testimony. The time limit may be necessary to conclude the hearing in the time provided.
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Ms. Nicole Fritz, by electronic mail at nicole.fritz@alaska.gov or at the State of Alaska, Department of Health, Child Care Program Office, Division of Public Assistance, 3601 C Street, Suite 140, Anchorage, AK 99503. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Department of Health will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation to participate in this process, please contact Ms. Nicole Fritz at (907) 419-4281 not later than August 12, 2022, to ensure that any necessary accommodation can be provided.
A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and by contacting Ms. Nicole Fritz at nicole.fritz@alaska.gov or at (907) 419-4281.
A copy of material proposed for adoption by reference is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and may be viewed at the agency's office at the State of Alaska, Department of Health, Child Care Program Office, Division of Public Assistance, 3601 C Street, Suite 140, Anchorage, AK 99503.
After the public comment period ends, the Department of Health will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulation may be different from that of the proposed regulation. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected.
Statutory authority: AS 47.05.010; AS 47.25.001; AS 47.25.021; AS 47.25.041; AS 47.25.051; AS 47.25.095.
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 47.05.010; AS 47.25.001; AS 47.25.021; AS 47.25.041; AS 47.25.051; AS 47.25.095.
Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
The Child Care Program Office/Division of Public Assistance/Department of Health keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of all the Child Care Program Office/Division of Public Assistance/Department of Health notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the Child Care Program Office/Division of Public Assistance/Department of Health at nicole.fritz@alaska.gov, giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.
DATE: July 12, 2022.
/s/Adam Crum
Commissioner,
Department of Health,
State of Alaska.