Child Care Services
This service provides support for families with young children to enable the caretaker to hold a job, obtain training or meet special needs of the child. Child care may also be provided in child abuse cases to help protect the child.
If you are working, you may have to pay a portion of your child care expenses. You may get a list of Child Care Centers and homes in your area from your DSS Case Manager. You will also be able to get more information on the program rules and fees.
You may choose your child care provider from:
- A State licensed Child Care Center
- A State licensed Child Care family or group home
- A license-exempt provider, such as a preschool, a school age program, relative or other person, if you obtain a Child Care Certification Provider Agreement from your DSS Case Manager. The provider must fill out this form and the provider must agree to accept the current state payment rate.
Eligibility
The service is available for children from infancy through twelve years of age. DSS determines eligibility based on the need for service and income. The income limit is currently set at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). See the 200% FPL chart. If your child is older than 12 and has a special need, you still may be eligible to receive child care.
You can find our Child Care and Development Fund Plan for federal fiscal year 2004 – 2005 on our Publications and Forms page
