Definitions

As used in this subchapter: The term “caregiver” means an individual who provides a service directly to an eligible child on a person-to-person basis. The term “child care certificate” means a certificate (that may be a check or other disbursement) that is issued by a State or local government under this subchapter directly to a parent who may use such certificate only as payment for child care services or as a deposit for child care services if such a deposit is required of other children being cared for by the provider. Nothing in this subchapter shall preclude the use of such certificates for sectarian child care services if freely chosen by the parent. For purposes of this subchapter, child care certificates shall not be considered to be grants or contracts. The term “child with a disability” means— The term “eligible child” means an individual— who— The term “English learner” means an individual who is an English learner, as defined in section 7801 of title 20, or who is limited English proficient, as defined in section 9832 of this title. The term “eligible child care provider” means— a center-based child care provider, a group home child care provider, a family child care provider, or other provider of child care services for compensation that— The term “family child care provider” means one individual who provides child care services for fewer than 24 hours per day, as the sole caregiver, and in a private residence. The term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given it in section 5304(e) of title 25. The term “lead agency” means the agency designated or established under section 9858b(a) of this title. The term “parent” includes a legal guardian, foster parent, or other person standing in loco parentis. The term “scientifically valid research” includes applied research, basic research, and field-initiated research, for which the rationale, design, and interpretation are soundly developed in accordance with principles of scientific research. The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Health and Human Services unless the context specifies otherwise. The term “sliding fee scale” means a system of cost sharing by a family based on income and size of the family. The term “State” means any of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The term “tribal organization” has the meaning given it in section 5304(l) of title 25. Such term includes a Native Hawaiian Organization, as defined in section 4909(4) 11 See References in Text note below. of title 20 and a private nonprofit organization established for the purpose of serving youth who are Indians or Native Hawaiians.