Authority: Title 63.1, Chapters 1, 3, 6, 6.2, and 12.1, Code of Virginia; P.L. 104-193, Federal Code.

A. The amount for Financial Assistance for Individual and Family Services shall be expended under regulations of the Board of Social Services to reimburse county and city welfare/social services boards pursuant to § 63.1-92, Code of Virginia, and subject to the same percentage limitations for other administrative services performed by county and city public welfare/social services boards and superintendents of public welfare/social services pursuant to other provisions of the Code of Virginia.

B. Out of the total appropriation for day care, $3,050,000 from the general fund and $7,625,000 from federal funds in the first year and $3,050,000 from the general fund and $7,625,000 from federal funds the second year will support state day care programs which will be administered on a sliding scale basis to income eligible families. The sliding fee scale and eligibility criteria are to be set according to the rules and regulations of the State Board of Social Services. Funds shall be targeted to families who are most in need of assistance with day care costs. Localities may exceed the standards established by the state by supplementing state funds with local funds.

C. Out of the amounts for day care, $7,143,547 from the general fund and $8,984,433 from federal funds the first year and $7,143,547 from the general fund and $8,984,433 from federal funds the second year will support child care necessary to permit an AFDC-eligible family member to accept employment or remain employed, for families eligible for services after termination of AFDC benefits in accordance with federal regulations; to support child care necessary to permit an AFDC-eligible family member to participate in an approved education or training activity and to permit a Food Stamp eligible family member to participate in approved activities under the Food Stamp Employment Training Program.

D. Included in this appropriation are funds to reimburse local social service agencies for social workers who deliver program services which include but are not limited to: child and adult protective services complaint investigations; foster care and adoption services; and adult services.

E. Notwithstanding § 4-1.03 of this act, general fund and nongeneral fund appropriations for the Child Day Care Fee System At-risk and At-risk Pass-thru programs shall not be: (1) transferred to support other child day care programs or for any other purpose; and (2) administratively restricted to provide preferential eligibility for these programs to former Aid to Families with Dependent Children recipients.

F. Included in this item is funding to carry out the former responsibilities of the Virginia Council on Child Day Care and Early Childhood Programs. Notwithstanding § 4-1.03 of this act, through September 30, 1996, federal block grant funding in this Item shall be expended as detailed in Child Care and Development Block Grant Plan in effect January 1, 1995. Federal block grant funding expended on and after October 1, 1996, shall be expended as detailed in the Child Care and Development Block Grant Plan in effect on October 1, 1996. Nongeneral fund appropriations allocated for uses associated with the Head Start program or for the Centers for Families That Work shall not be transferred for any other use. Families, who are working or in education and training programs, with income at or below the poverty level, whose children are enrolled in Head Start wrap-around programs paid for with the federal block grant funding in this Item shall not be required to pay fees for these wrap-around services.

G. Out of this appropriation shall be provided $611,536 the first year and $611,536 the second year $105,871 from the general fund and $505,665 from the federal trust fund the first year and $105,871 from the general fund and $505,665 from the federal trust fund the second year for the statewide Information and Referral System.

H. Included in this Item is funding in the amount of $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year for scholarships for students in early childhood education and related majors who plan to work in the field, or are working in the field, whether in public schools, child care or other early childhood programs, who enroll in a state community college or a state supported senior institution of higher education. Also included in this Item is funding in the amount of $505,000 the first year and $505,000 the second year for training of individuals in the field of early childhood education. These funds shall be paid from the Federal Child Care and Development Block Grant beginning July 1, 1996. The Department of Social Services shall make the necessary amendments to the Child Care and Development Block Grant Plan to accomplish this intent.

I. Out of this appropriation shall be provided $25,000 in the first year from the general fund for the Craig County Child Care Center.