6M-9.200. School Readiness Plus Program  


Effective on Tuesday, September 24, 2024
  • 1(1) Purpose. The School Readiness (SR) Plus Program is a State of Florida child care subsidy program for current SR families transitioning off SR services to assist in economic self-sufficiency.

    31(2) Eligibility. A family who is determined to be ineligible for the school readiness program funds by an Early Learning Coalition (coalition) due to family income and whose income exceeds eighty-five (85) percent of the State Median Income (SMI) but is at or below one hundred (100) percent SMI, is eligible to participate in the SR Plus Program. Eligibility will be authorized in 12-month increments and the family must redetermine annually. The family must:

    105(a) 106Meet all applicable eligibility requirements as outlined in Rules 1156M-4.200 116and 1176M-4.208, 118F.A.C.

    119(b) Be responsible for a copayment for the SR Plus Program that exceeds the copayment for the SR Program as established by the Division of Early Learning (DEL).

    147(3) Coalition Responsibilities. A coalition must:

    153(a) Authorize twelve (12) months of services for an eligible family on a first-come, first-served basis.

    169(b) Not establish a wait list for the SR Plus program.

    180(c) Provide the parent with access to the State of Florida’s workforce development, benefits management and career planning tool identified in Section 202445.009(1)(k), F.S.

    204(d) Issue payment certificates to eligible families to submit to contracted SR program providers described in Rule 2216M-4.610, 222F.A.C., to enroll into the SR Plus Program.

    230(e) Implement the sliding fee scale provided by the Division of Early Learning to assess a parent copayment based on family size, hours of care needed, and family income. The parent copayment for the SR Plus Program will not decrease during the family’s 12-month authorization period.

    276(f) Reimburse a contracted SR program provider as defined in Rules 2876M-4.500 288and 2896M-4.610, 290F.A.C.

    291(g) Monitor SR program providers for compliance with provisions governing the SR Plus Program using the Statewide School Readiness Provider Contract Monitoring Tool pursuant to Rule 3176M-4.630, 318F.A.C.

    319(4) SR Provider Responsibilities. A child care provider is eligible to serve SR Plus families when it executes and maintains a Statewide School Readiness Provider Contract, pursuant to Rule 3486M-4.610, 349F.A.C.

    350Rulemaking Authority 3521001.02 FS. 354Law Implemented 1002.935, FS. History–New 9-24-24.