Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the State Board of Social Services intends to consider repealing 22VAC40-661, Child Care Program, and adopting 22VAC40-665, Child Care Program, to replace it. The purpose of the proposed action is to align Virginia's child care subsidy program requirements with the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014. The goals of this action are to broaden the purposes of the program by emphasizing child development; increase the number of children receiving healthy, safe, and quality care; and implement family-friendly policies. The new regulation will strengthen the child care subsidy program's dual role as both an early childhood development program and a work support program for low-income families. Key changes in the new regulation include, but are not limited to, supporting and protecting the health and safety of children in care through more consistent standards for child care providers and monitoring of those standards. The changes will also focus on improving the quality of care statewide through increased supports for child care providers and enabling eligible families to more easily access stable and continuous care.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: § 63.2-217 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: March 9, 2016.

Agency Contact: Mary Ward, Subsidy Manager, Department of Social Services, 801 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 726-7638, FAX (804) 726-7655, or email mary.ward@dss.virginia.gov.