3000-3060 DCF and DTA Related Child Care

For early education and care services for children with active cases at the department of children and families and for families currently involved with or transitioning from transitional aid to families with dependent children and for families participating in education and training services funded by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; provided, that for children with active cases at the department of children and families, funds may be used to provide services during a transition period of at least 12 months upon the closure of the family's case with the department of children and families; provided further, that in the case of families involved with transitional aid to families with dependent children, early education and care shall be available to the following: (i) recipients of transitional aid to families with dependent children; (ii) former participants who are working for up to one year after termination of their benefits; (iii) former participants who are working for up to one year after the transitional period; and (iv) parents who are under 18 years of age who are currently enrolled in a job training program and who would qualify for benefits under chapter 118 of the General Laws, but for the consideration of the grandparents' income; provided further, that all teens eligible for year-round, full-time early education and care services shall be participating in school, education, work, and training-related activities, or a combination of these activities, for at least the minimum number of hours required by regulations; provided further, that recipients of transitional aid to families with dependent children shall not be charged fees for care provided under this item; provided further, that informal early education and care benefits for families involved with transitional aid to families with dependent children may be funded from this item; provided further, that reimbursements to providers for services rendered in prior fiscal years may be expended from this item; provided further, that the department shall recoup funds owed by providers related to payments made by the department in prior fiscal years by reducing payments to those providers for services related to this item rendered in fiscal year 2026; provided further, that the commissioner of early education and care may transfer funds to this item from items 3000-1000 and 3000-4060, as necessary, pursuant to an allocation plan, which shall detail by object class the distribution of the funds to be transferred and which the commissioner shall file with the house and senate committees on ways and means and the secretary of administration and finance at least 10 days before the transfer; and provided further, that all children eligible for services under this item shall receive those services