Tennessee expands child care program
Tennessee is extending its free child care programming through the summer. Previously scheduled to end in mid-june, the program will now provide free child care to essential workers through mid-august.
The program is also encompassing all essential workers, rather than a more narrow definition first applied when the program was announced in April, according to a release from the Tennessee Department of Human Services.
Now, the program applies to all essential workers who are defined by Gov. Bill Lee's executive order 22.
The announcement to extend the programming through the summer comes at the end of the school year when the status of summer programs are in flux and reopening guidelines mean more parents may be returning to work. The end of the school year also marks the end of a federal exception allowing parents to claim unemployment due to lack of childcare.
The department said that existing applicants don't have to apply again if their previous application was denied or is still in progress. It will review and reevaluate previously submitted applications that now fall under the expanded employment categories.
“This program is an example of how our state has prepared for an emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic through sound fiscal management (of ) our child care dollars,” TDHS Commissioner Danielle W. Barnes said in a statement. “Tennessee is in a unique
position to support a wide range of essential workers during this time of uncertainty. We're making sure child care is accessible to those who are continuing to serve our communities. Alleviating this burden for so many families is essential as we continue to build a thriving Tennessee.”
Funding for the assistance program comes from the federal Child Care Development Fund, the department said, which provides funding to state programs that offer child care-related assistance to low income families.
In March, TDHS began offering grant assistance to licensed child care providers during the pandemic. The department has also relaxed some operational guidelines for child care facilities during the pandemic, made possible by an executive order from Gov. Lee.
How to apply
The new statewide program applies for children of essential employees that are enrolled at state-licensed child care providers. Select YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee also be provide free child care services.
To access free care at the Tdhs-licensed facilities, essential workers must apply for the COVID-19 Essential Employee Child Care Payment Assistance program online on the department's website.
Parents who are essential workers don't need to complete the TDHS application if their children are enrolling at the new YMCA and Boys & Girls Club locations, per the release. The department will continue to support the free child care at these locations through mid-august also.
To find a list of locations that are:
❚ licensed by TDHS, visit the directory on the department's website;
❚ at local YMCAS, visit its website;
❚ or at local Boys & Girls Clubs, visit its website
Benefits for lack of childcare expire with end of school year
Once school is out for the summer, Tennessee is following federal guidance that precludes parents and guardians from claiming unemployment benefits due to a lack of child care.
The state's unemployment FAQ states:
If you are unable to return to work due to your child being out of school due to COVID-19, you may be permitted to remain out of work for a limited time, and still collect UI benefits. Based on guidance provided by the US Department of Labor, this exception will only apply until the date the school year was scheduled to end prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have other reliable child care options you may not be eligible for this exception. These cases will be investigated and decisions will be issued on a case-by-case basis.
Chris Cannon, a spokesperson for the Tennessee's Department of Labor and Workforce Development confirmed via email that the state will continue to follow the federal guidance with regard to the child care exception.
It is not clear how individuals who cited the lack of child care in unemployment claims will be affected or whether they will be contacted now that most schools are dismissing for the summer months.
In total, 532,580 Tennesseans have asked for assistance from the government since mid-march, with 314,487 of those claims continuing with weekly certifications.
Cannon said the department does not produce a standard report containing how many individuals have filed unemployment claims that indicate they are unable to return to work due to a lack of childcare.
"Additionally, some claimants most likely did not file for unemployment due to lack of childcare, they may have filed for another reason entirely, such as the employer shut down," Cannon said. "Since they initially filed, this exception became an option and their claim may have transferred to Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. We would not be able to track that number."
Decisions on lack of child care claims are reviewed and processed alongside all other claims, Cannon said. Claims adjudicators use federal guidance to determine whether a person's claim qualifies.
Laura Testino covers education and children's issues for the Commercial Appeal. Reach her at laura.testino@com mercialappeal.com or 901-512-3763. Find her on Twitter: @Ldtestino