Child Care Financial Assistance Programs Make Going To Work Affordable

For many families, especially those with single mothers as the heads of household, child care costs serve as barriers to financial success. The cost of dependable child care goes up every year, and some women find that as much as 22% of their net pay is going to this expense. Child care financial assistance programs exist to help low income families find ways to make their financial ends meet.

Many programs and services are offered at the state level. For example, in California, single working moms or mothers attending school have access to the Alternative Payment Program through the Children’s Society of California. This program pays for all or part of your daycare or child care expenses if your family qualifies as low income or at risk. You can learn more at chs-ca.org.

In Illinois, a parent can access services through the Illinois Action for Children program, found at actforchildren.org. Any child care facility that is licensed to operate legally in the state of Illinois can choose to accept reimbursements from this program; a qualifying household is one in which the parents or parent are attending school, working, or are unemployed and looking for work. Being a lone parent raising a family, due to divorce, death, or other issues, can be difficult; this program offers the support you need to earn an income that will support your family.

The North Dakota Department of Human Services has a Child Care Assistance Program (nd.gov) that matches qualified child care providers, from certified teenage baby sitters to licensed daycare facilities, with families in need of child care. If the child care providers meet the stringent requirements of the program, they can provide care for eligible families and be paid from the program’s funds. A young mother seeking a way to support her children can benefit from this program that will help her meet her other financial obligations and potentially stay out of debt.

The state of Montana offers child care grants and scholarships to eligible families through their “New Beginnings” program. Registered daycares, group homes, activity centers, and other facilities can accept pay directly from this program, with each family paying a small co pay, the amount of which is based on their ability to pay. You can apply to be a part of this program or receive their services at dphhs.mt.gov.

American Indian families living in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma can access the assistance they need through the Choctaw Nation Child Care Assistance Program. This program provides financial support for families in need of child care, and service children up to the age of 13. This a federally funded program that ensures low income families in the Choctaw nation that they can seek work or higher education while their children are being cared for by skilled, approved child care providers. You can learn more at cncca.org.

If you are unsure where to turn within your state, your first stop might be the website for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, acf.hhs.gov. The Office of Child Care provides states with the funds needed to support low income families and ensure quality child care so that the parents can seek gainful employment.