(1) The department shall establish and implement policies in the working connections child care program to promote stability and quality of care for children from low-income households. Policies for the expenditure of funds constituting the working connections child care program must be consistent with the outcome measures defined in RCW 74.08A.410 and the standards established in this section intended to promote continuity of care for children.

     (2) As a condition of receiving a child care subsidy or a working connections child care subsidy, the applicant or recipient must seek child support enforcement services from the department of social and health services, division of child support, unless the department finds that the applicant or recipient has good cause not to cooperate.

     (3) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, an applicant or recipient of a child care subsidy or a working connections child care subsidy is eligible to receive that subsidy for six months before having to recertify his or her income eligibility. The six-month certification provision applies only if enrollments in the child care subsidy or working connections child care program are capped.

     (4) Beginning in fiscal year 2011, for families with children enrolled in an early childhood education and assistance program, a head start program, or an early head start program, authorizations for the working connections child care subsidy shall be effective for twelve months unless a change in circumstances necessitates reauthorization sooner than twelve months.

     (5) The department, in consultation with the department of social and health services, shall report to the legislature by September 1, 2011, with:

     (a) An analysis of the impact of the twelve-month authorization period on the stability of child care, program costs, and administrative savings; and

     (b) Recommendations for expanding the application of the twelve-month authorization period to additional populations of children in care.

[2011 1st sp.s. c 42 § 11; 2010 c 273 § 2.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Intent -- Effective date -- 2011 1st sp.s. c 42: See notes following RCW 74.08A.260.

     Finding -- 2011 1st sp.s. c 42: See note following RCW 74.04.004.

     Intent -- 2010 c 273: "It is the intent of the legislature that this act be implemented within the funding appropriated in the 2009-11 biennial budget. No additional appropriations will be provided for its implementation." [2010 c 273 § 7.]