7 AAC 41.200 - Provider eligibility and qualifications

(a) Unless a provider is precluded from participation under 7 AAC 41.055, the department will or a designee shall authorize a provider to participate in the child care assistance program under this chapter if the provider meets the applicable requirements of this chapter and has

(1) a current child care licensed issued by the department under AS 47.32 and 7 AAC 57, or by a delegated designee under AS 47.32.030(b) and 7 AAC 57.045, to operate a child care facility; for purposes of this paragraph, "current license" includes a child care facility license extended under AS 47.32.060(c);

(2) a current accreditation or certification from a national accreditation group for a day camp or similar facility or program, as described in 7 AAC 57.015(11);

(3) a current certificate or other approval granted by the United States Department of Defense or the United States Coast Guard;

(4) a current certificate or other approval granted by a tribal entity in accordance with the Child Care and Development Fund requirements under 42 U.S.C. 618 (Title IV, sec. 418, Social Security Act) and 45 C.F.R. Part 98 of the United States Department of Health and Social Services, Administration for Children and Families, with provider standards that meet or exceed the standards of this chapter;

(5) approval of the department or a designee under 7 AAC 41.201(d); or

(6) approval of the department or a designee under 7 AAC 41.370.

(b) A licensed child care provider described in 7 AAC 41.200(a)(1) must meet the applicable qualification requirements of 7 AAC 57. A provider described in 7 AAC 41.200(a)(2), (3), or (4) must meet the applicable qualifications of the accrediting, certifying, or approving agency. A provider described in 7 AAC 41.200(a)(6) must meet the applicable qualifications of 7 AAC 41.370. A provider described in 7 AAC 41.200(a)(5) must

(1) beat least 18 years of age;

(2) have at least a high school diploma, general educational development (GED) diploma, or the equivalent;

(3) have an understanding of the development of children;

(4) have the ability to care for children;

(5) have the skills to work with children, family members, department staff, and community agencies;

(6) have the skills necessary to handle finances and plan and evaluate programs; and

(7) be able to prevent exposure of children to high-risk situations, including exposure to physical hazards and encounters with individuals or animals posing a possible danger.

(c) A provider exempt from licensure under 7 AAC 57.015(a)(7) and who was approved by the department for program participation before January 5, 2017 may continue through the provider's identified approval period, not to exceed 12 consecutive months.

Notes

7 AAC 41.200

Eff. 6/23/2006, Register 178; am 2/9/2007, Register 181; am 1/5/2017, Register 221, April 2017

Authority:AS 47.05.300

AS 47.05.310

AS 47.05.340

AS 47.25.001