CareConnect determines a child’s category for the CDNFS/EENFS report using two key pieces of information:

1. Child’s Date of Birth (DOB)

2. Child’s Category

Understanding Categorical Age

Under CDNFS/EENFS guidelines, a child’s age is not determined by their chronological age (actual age in years and months), but rather by their categorical age.

Categorical age refers to how children are grouped for funding and reporting purposes based on specific date ranges or program definitions.

CDNFS 8501

CDE Pre-K Statutory Age Eligibility Calculator

CDNFS 9500

Additional Child Categories

In addition to the primary age category, a child may qualify for an additional category. These special designations include:

• Exceptional Needs

• Dual Language Learner (DLL)

• At Risk of Abuse or Neglect

• Severely Disabled

When applicable, these additional categories are listed in the Category section of the Student Eligibility Tab within CareConnect.

How CareConnect Determines the Final Category

When you generate the CDNFS/EENFS report, CareConnect reviews both the:

• Child’s date of birth, and

• Assigned category

Based on these two factors, CareConnect automatically assigns the category that provides the highest rate of reimbursement according to CDNFS/EENFS guidelines.

Below are examples using Adjustment Factors for the sample county of Los Angeles (07/2024) under both 8501 and 9500 reports.

CareConnect simplifies the process of categorizing children for CDNFS/EENFS reporting by automatically analyzing both the child’s date of birth and eligibility categories. This ensures that your reports are accurate, compliant, and optimized for the highest possible reimbursement rates.

If you need further assistance or have questions about how categories are determined, please reach out to CareConnect Support for additional guidance.

Example Scenarios