TO:	Commissioners; Child Care Directors; Directors of Services; TA Directors; Employment Coordinators 

FROM:	Russell Sykes, Deputy Commissioner, Center for Employment and Economic Supports

SUBJECT:	  “In Lieu of TA Child Care” Dear Parent Letter

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Immediately	

CONTACT PERSON:	Child Care Questions:  Anne Ball at (518) 474-3775
	TA Program Questions:  Bureau of Temporary Assistance at (518) 474-9344

The purpose of this message is to transmit the attached “Dear Parent” letter associated with the recent change to the “child care in lieu of temporary assistance” (TA) law (section 410-w of Social Services Law).  The letter contains information about the change and provides questions and answers about eligibility and how to apply.

The letter will also be mailed to employed TA recipients with children under the age of 13.  It is scheduled to be mailed in late November.  This is a one-time mailing.  Districts will receive a list of those receiving the letter entitled “Child Care Letter” via BICS.

Effective immediately, districts must locally reproduce this letter and include it in the application package or hand to all applicants during the application process.  This must be done until the new information is incorporated into the upcoming revision of Book 2 of the Client Information Books – LDSS 4148B – “What You Should Know About Social Services Programs.”  We expect this revision to be available early next year.  Districts should also answer any questions applicants may have about the differences between receiving TA with a child care guarantee and receiving child care in lieu of TA.