Add Montana Child Care Assistance Program (Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship)

changelog.d/mt-ccap.added.md

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+Add Montana Child Care Assistance Program (Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship).

policyengine_us/parameters/gov/hhs/ccdf/child_care_subsidy_programs.yaml

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ values:
     - me_child_care_subsidies  # Maine Child Care Affordability Program
     - mn_child_care_subsidies  # Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program
     - ms_child_care_subsidies  # Mississippi Child Care Payment Program (CCPP)
+    - mt_child_care_subsidies  # Montana Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship
     - ne_child_care_subsidies  # Nebraska Child Care Subsidy
     - vt_child_care_subsidies  # Vermont Child Care Financial Assistance Program
     - nh_child_care_subsidies  # New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship Program

policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mt/dphhs/ccap/age_group/months.yaml

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+description: Montana sets these child age group boundaries in months under the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship program.
+# The published rate table lists three age groups (Infant/Toddler, Preschool, School
+# Age) but states no month cutoffs. The Infant/Toddler cutoff (36 months) is a
+# documented assumption; the Preschool/School-Age cutoff follows ARM 37.80.102, which
+# defines a preschool-age child as 36 months up to the sixth birthday and a school-age
+# child as six through the end of the 12th year:
+# 0-35 months = Infant/Toddler, 36-71 months = Preschool, 72+ months = School Age.
+# Amounts are enum indices: 0 = INFANT_TODDLER, 1 = PRESCHOOL, 2 = SCHOOL_AGE.
+metadata:
+  type: single_amount
+  threshold_unit: month
+  amount_unit: /1
+  period: year
+  label: Montana CCAP child age group by months
+  reference:
+    - title: Best Beginnings Scholarship Half-Time & Full-Time Monthly Rates
+      href: https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/ecfsd/childcare/documentsandresources/BBSProviderRatesMonthly.pdf
+    - title: Mont. Admin. R. 37.80.102 (definitions of preschool-age and school-age child for payment purposes)
+      href: https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/montana/Mont-Admin-r-37.80.102
+
+brackets:
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 0
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 0
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 36
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 1
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 72
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 2

policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mt/dphhs/ccap/copayment/copay_rate.yaml

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+description: Montana sets this share of gross monthly income as the copayment under the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship program.
+# The copayment share varies by the family's federal poverty guideline ratio.
+# Sliding fee scale rows are in 5-point % FPG steps. Per the scale footnote ("the
+# co-payments listed are minimums and correspond to the lowest level for each income
+# range"), each labeled % is the FLOOR of its rate tier: a tier applies from its named
+# step (inclusive) up to the next tier's step. For example, the 1.0% tier covers 105%
+# FPG (inclusive) up to but not including 115% FPG. PolicyEngine single_amount is "at
+# or above threshold," and the scale places a family exactly at a step into the higher
+# tier (e.g. 105% -> 1.0%), so thresholds use the named % directly with no shift. The
+# published scale's top tier (7.0%) runs through 200% FPG, but income eligibility caps
+# at 185% FPG for non-TANF families (ARM 37.80.202(2)), so the tiers above 185% are
+# unreachable for eligible families and retained only to mirror the published scale.
+#
+# (S6) The graduated-eligibility STRUCTURE dates to 2016-11-01, but these copay
+# percentages come from the 2025 Best Beginnings Sliding Fee Scale (2025 Federal
+# Register poverty guidelines). The brackets carry a 2025-07-01 effective date to
+# document that the percentages are sourced from the 2025 scale, distinct from the
+# structure's 2016-11-01 start.
+metadata:
+  type: single_amount
+  threshold_unit: /1
+  amount_unit: /1
+  period: year
+  label: Montana CCAP copayment rate by FPG ratio
+  reference:
+    - title: Best Beginnings Child Care Sliding Fee Scale (effective 2025-07-01)
+      href: https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/ecfsd/childcare/policymanual/SlidingFeeScale07012023.pdf
+
+brackets:
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 0
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 0.005  # Below 105% FPG
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 1.05  # 105% up to 115% FPG
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 0.01
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 1.15  # 115% up to 125% FPG
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 0.015
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 1.25  # 125% up to 135% FPG
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 0.02
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 1.35  # 135% up to 145% FPG
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 0.025
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 1.45  # 145% up to 150% FPG
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 0.03
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 1.5  # 150% up to 155% FPG
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 0.035
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 1.55  # 155% up to 160% FPG
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 0.04
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 1.6  # 160% up to 165% FPG
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 0.045
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 1.65  # 165% up to 170% FPG
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 0.05
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 1.7  # 170% up to 175% FPG
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 0.055
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 1.75  # 175% up to 180% FPG
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 0.06
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 1.8  # 180% up to 185% FPG
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 0.065
+  - threshold:
+      2025-07-01: 1.85  # 185% through 200% FPG
+    amount:
+      2025-07-01: 0.07

policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mt/dphhs/ccap/copayment/minimum.yaml

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+description: Montana sets this minimum monthly copayment under the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship program.
+# (S6) The graduated-eligibility STRUCTURE dates to 2016-11-01, but this minimum
+# copayment value comes from the 2025 Best Beginnings Sliding Fee Scale (2025 Federal
+# Register poverty guidelines). The 2025-07-01 effective date documents that the value
+# is sourced from the 2025 scale, distinct from the structure's 2016-11-01 start.
+values:
+  2025-07-01: 10
+
+metadata:
+  unit: currency-USD
+  period: month
+  label: Montana CCAP minimum monthly copayment
+  reference:
+    - title: Best Beginnings Child Care Sliding Fee Scale (effective 2025-07-01)
+      href: https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/ecfsd/childcare/policymanual/SlidingFeeScale07012023.pdf

policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mt/dphhs/ccap/eligibility/activity_hours/single_parent.yaml

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+description: Montana requires single-parent families to work at least this many hours per month under the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship program.
+values:
+  2016-11-01: 60
+
+metadata:
+  unit: hour
+  period: month
+  label: Montana CCAP single-parent monthly activity hours
+  reference:
+    - title: Child Care 2-3 Non-TANF Activity Requirements, Minimum Hourly Work Requirement
+      href: https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/ecfsd/childcare/policymanual/CC23NonTANFActivity070718.pdf#page=1
+    - title: Mont. Admin. R. 37.80.201
+      href: https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/montana/Mont-Admin-r-37.80.201

policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mt/dphhs/ccap/eligibility/activity_hours/two_parent.yaml

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+description: Montana requires two-parent families to work at least this many hours per month under the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship program.
+values:
+  2016-11-01: 120
+
+metadata:
+  unit: hour
+  period: month
+  label: Montana CCAP two-parent monthly activity hours
+  reference:
+    - title: Child Care 2-3 Non-TANF Activity Requirements, Minimum Hourly Work Requirement
+      href: https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/ecfsd/childcare/policymanual/CC23NonTANFActivity070718.pdf#page=1
+    - title: Mont. Admin. R. 37.80.201
+      href: https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/montana/Mont-Admin-r-37.80.201

policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mt/dphhs/ccap/eligibility/child_age_limit.yaml

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+description: Montana limits eligibility to children under this age under the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship program.
+# Standard CCDF eligible-child age cap from 45 CFR 98.20(a)(1): a child must be
+# under age 13.
+values:
+  2016-11-01: 13
+
+metadata:
+  unit: year
+  period: year
+  label: Montana CCAP child age limit
+  reference:
+    - title: 45 CFR 98.20(a)(1)(i) (CCDF eligible child under age 13)
+      href: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-98.20#p-98.20(a)(1)

policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mt/dphhs/ccap/eligibility/special_needs_child_age_limit.yaml

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+description: Montana limits eligibility to children with special needs under this age under the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship program.
+# Standard CCDF eligible-child age cap from 45 CFR 98.20(a)(1): a child who is
+# physically or mentally incapable of self-care, or under court supervision, may
+# remain eligible until under age 19.
+values:
+  2016-11-01: 19
+
+metadata:
+  unit: year
+  period: year
+  label: Montana CCAP special needs child age limit
+  reference:
+    - title: 45 CFR 98.20(a)(1)(ii) (eligible child under age 19 if physically or mentally incapable of self-care or under court supervision)
+      href: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-98.20#p-98.20(a)(1)

policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mt/dphhs/ccap/income/countable_income/sources.yaml

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+description: Montana uses these income sources as countable income under the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship program.
+values:
+  2016-11-01:
+    # Earned income (CC 2-6: Commissions/Salary/Wages, AmeriCorps VISTA, College
+    # Work Study, Internship, Jury Duty, Military Allotment, WIA-as-Work, Tips,
+    # Bonuses, Training Allowance, dependent child not attending school)
+    - employment_income
+    - self_employment_income  # Self-employment, sale of blood, FFN/RCP provider, farm
+    - sstb_self_employment_income
+    - farm_operations_income
+    # Unearned income
+    - interest_income  # Interest, dividend, royalty, annuity, trust fund, capital investment returns
+    - dividend_income
+    - rental_income  # Rental/lease income, contract for deed
+    - social_security  # SS and SSDI counted; SSI excluded (social_security omits SSI)
+    - pension_income  # Government pension, annuity, railroad retirement, veterans' pensions
+    - retirement_distributions
+    - unemployment_compensation
+    - workers_compensation
+    - child_support_received  # Child support retained, "in excess", arrearage
+    - alimony_income
+    - disability_benefits
+    - capital_gains  # Counted as a lump sum
+    - veterans_benefits  # Veterans' pensions and benefits (educational VA payments excluded)
+    # TANF cash (child-only/tribal) is excluded here to break the childcare<->TANF
+    # circular dependency (mt_tanf's dependent care deduction reads childcare_expenses,
+    # which nets out child_care_subsidies). TANF cash-assistance families are handled
+    # via the is_tanf_enrolled categorical pathway and the flat $10 copay instead.
+
+metadata:
+  unit: list
+  period: year
+  label: Montana CCAP countable income sources
+  reference:
+    - title: Child Care 2-6 Income Evaluation Table (pp. 1-14)
+      href: https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/ecfsd/childcare/policymanual/CC26IncomeTable070718.pdf#page=1

policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mt/dphhs/ccap/income/fpg_limit/graduated.yaml

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+description: Montana limits gross income to this share of the federal poverty guideline for graduated eligibility at redetermination under the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship program.
+# ARM 37.80.202(2): a non-TANF household whose income exceeds 150% and is below
+# 185% of the FPG qualifies for graduated eligibility at annual redetermination
+# (12-month eligibility period). We proxy "at redetermination / continuing
+# recipient" with the mt_ccap_enrolled input; first-time applicants use the
+# initial 150% share (see initial.yaml).
+values:
+  2016-11-01: 1.85
+
+metadata:
+  unit: /1
+  period: year
+  label: Montana CCAP graduated income limit share of federal poverty guideline
+  reference:
+    - title: Mont. Admin. R. 37.80.202(2)
+      href: https://rules.mt.gov/gateway/ruleno.asp?RN=37.80.202
+    - title: Mont. Admin. R. 37.80.202(2) — Cornell LII
+      href: https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/montana/Mont-Admin-r-37.80.202

policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mt/dphhs/ccap/income/fpg_limit/initial.yaml

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+description: Montana limits gross income to this share of the federal poverty guideline for initial eligibility under the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship program.
+# ARM 37.80.202(1): a household whose income is below 150% of the FPG is eligible.
+# This is the initial / first-time applicant standard; continuing recipients at
+# annual redetermination use the higher graduated share (see graduated.yaml),
+# selected via the mt_ccap_enrolled input.
+values:
+  2016-11-01: 1.5
+
+metadata:
+  unit: /1
+  period: year
+  label: Montana CCAP initial income limit share of federal poverty guideline
+  reference:
+    - title: Mont. Admin. R. 37.80.202(1)
+      href: https://rules.mt.gov/gateway/ruleno.asp?RN=37.80.202
+    - title: Mont. Admin. R. 37.80.202(1) — Cornell LII
+      href: https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/montana/Mont-Admin-r-37.80.202

policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mt/dphhs/ccap/income/income_limit_smi_rate.yaml

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+description: Montana limits gross income to this share of state median income under the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship program.
+# Households over 85% SMI are not eligible; this ceiling overlays the FPG brackets.
+#
+# (S3) The 85% SMI ceiling is operational. It comes from the Best Beginnings Sliding
+# Fee Scale and mirrors the federal CCDF maximum at 45 CFR 98.20(a)(2) (no child care
+# subsidy above 85% of State median income). It is NOT in ARM 37.80.202.
+#
+# (S3) Binding behavior: with the 185% FPG graduated limit (ARM 37.80.202(2)), the FPG
+# limit binds before this 85% SMI cap for all but the largest households. It only binds
+# (0.85*SMI < 1.85*FPG) at very large household sizes, e.g. size 13+ in 2026 once HHS
+# SMI uprating is applied. For typical sizes the cap is non-binding.
+#
+# (S6) The SMI ceiling STRUCTURE dates to 2016-11-01, while the 0.85 share reflects the
+# 2025 Sliding Fee Scale (2025 Federal Register poverty guidelines context). The
+# 2016-11-01 effective date documents the structure's start; the operational value is
+# sourced from the 2025 scale.
+values:
+  2016-11-01: 0.85
+
+metadata:
+  unit: /1
+  period: year
+  label: Montana CCAP income limit share of state median income
+  reference:
+    - title: Best Beginnings Child Care Sliding Fee Scale (effective 2025-07-01)
+      href: https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/ecfsd/childcare/policymanual/SlidingFeeScale07012023.pdf
+    - title: 45 CFR 98.20(a)(2) (CCDF income eligibility maximum of 85% of State median income)
+      href: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-98.20#p-98.20(a)(2)