Wisconsin Department
of Children and Families - Division
of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Child Care Subsidy Administration
Wisconsin Shares Handbook
Parents are not eligible for an increase in hours (including additional school closed days [see 16.1.2.2.2]) during an Approved Activity Search Period (ACTS) or Temporary Break Period (TBRK). This also includes a parent’s change in schedule in a two-parent or three-generation household.
In
a two-parent or three-generation household in which more than one (1)
parent is participating in an Activity Break Period, the local agency
must maintain authorizations at the same number of hours until all parents
are again engaged and participating in approved activities, unless the
criteria in Section 17.1.1
for an Assessment Results Authorization are met. Authorized hours may
be reduced at the parent’s request, but authorized hours cannot be increased
even if there is a change in one (1) parent’s schedule or other change
resulting in an authorization assessment (see
17.1.1 and 17.1.2)
during the Activity Break Period.
| Example 1: Cora is in a TBRK period, and her spouse, Finn, is in an ACTS period. Their child, Leo, has an authorization for 20 hours per week. Finn obtains new employment and provides financial verification, while Cora remains in a TBRK period. The agency worker completes an authorization assessment using Cora’s previous schedule and Finn’s new schedule. The authorization assessment shows that Leo is now eligible for an authorization of 40 hours per week based on the new overlap. However, his authorized hours can only be 20 hours per week (or less at the parent’s request) during Cora’s TBRK period because authorized hours cannot be increased during a TBRK period. The agency worker must either override the approved authorization hours or use the “Copy from Prior Authorization” button to maintain the authorization at 20 hours per week. |
| Example 2: Penelope is in an ACTS period. Her child, Hazel, has a school-year authorization of 10 hours per week for before and after school care. When school lets out for the summer, Penelope wants to send Hazel to the full-time summer camp program at her child care provider and is requesting 40 hours per week based on her previous work schedule. However, Hazel is not eligible for an increase in hours due to Penelope being in an ACTS period. Penelope can use the 10 hours per week based on Hazel’s previous authorization for summer camp because it is at the same provider and location, but she will need to pay the rest of the child care cost out-of-pocket. |
| Example 3: Kristine has a school-year authorization for her child, Ingrid, when she loses her job. Kristine is placed in an ACTS period from November 1 – January 31. In December, Ingrid’s school is closed for several days due to inclement weather. Kristine calls to request additional school closed hours. However, because Kristine is in an ACTS period, no additional hours can be added to Ingrid’s authorization. |
This section last updated 12/1/2022