Minnesota Minnesota

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Policy Manual

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Policy Manual


4.9.3 Communication with Child Support

ISSUE DATE: 09/2024

CCAP worker communication with Child Support workers

CCAP needs to communicate certain case information to Child Support workers. This is done in two primary ways:

  • · Automated referrals through MEC²/PRISM interface

    • OR

  • · Manual referrals
  • Note: Do not send automated or manual referrals for foster care children. See Chapter 4.9 (Cooperation with Child Support).

    • Automated referrals – MEC²/PRISM interface

    When a child has an open Service Authorization, MEC2 interfaces with PRISM and alerts Child Support of case openings, closings, and/or changes.

    Manual referrals

    MEC² and PRISM only interface for children with open Service Authorizations. The CCAP worker needs to communicate changes with the Child Support worker for any minor child in the household without an open Service Authorization.

    Send a manual referral to alert Child Support of case changes in the following situations:

  • · A child in the household is not eligible for CCAP.
  • · A child in the household does not have an open Service Authorization.

    • Use the Child Care Status Transmittal Update to Child Support (DHS-4003) (PDF) to send a manual referral to Child Support. Keep a copy of the completed form in the family’s CCAP case file.

    Examples of changes to report to the Child Support worker include, but are not limited to:

  • · Child moves out of the home.
  • · Custodial parent who did not previously claim good cause is now claiming it.
  • · Pending good cause claim is now approved.

    • Child Support worker communication with CCAP workers

    Non-cooperation with Child Support

    The local Child Support agency is responsible for determining if the family is cooperating with Child Support. Do not change the “Cooperation Status” field in MEC² to “No” unless informed by the Child Support worker that the family is not cooperating.

    If the family is in their 12-month eligibility period and the CCAP worker is informed the parent is not cooperating with Child Support, the family’s CCAP case remains open. Do not terminate CCAP eligibility during the 12-month eligibility period for not cooperating with Child Support. The family must cooperate with Child Support by their next redetermination. See Chapter 4.9.12 (Child Support cooperation at redetermination).

    Documentation of Child Support cooperation changes during the 12-month eligibility period

    If the CCAP worker is informed of changes in the family’s cooperation status during the 12-month eligibility period, then it is recommended that some form of documentation of the change in cooperation be kept in the CCAP case file. Documentation includes copies of alerts, a notice or email received from Child Support, or any other form of documentation.

    Legal authority

    Minnesota Statutes 119B.09, subd. 1
    Minnesota Statutes 256.741
    Minnesota Rules, 3400.0040, subp. 5a
    Minnesota Rules, 3400.0183, subp. 2(C)

    Report this page