Thanks to landmark child care legislation more than a decade ago, many parents who once struggled to afford quality child care are now eligible for financial assistance. Whether a parent prefers a child care center or a family child care provider, help is available to low-income working parents. Specific eligibility levels and the process for obtaining a subsidy vary by state.

Ohio

In Ohio, public child care subsidy is generally available for low-income working parents or parents enrolled in approved work or training programs. Other eligibility guidelines also apply. The current income guidelines by family size are:

Parents apply for subsidy through their County Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). Most parents will be required to pay part of the cost of their child's care. The exact amount depends upon the family size and income.

Parents may use licensed child care centers and school age programs or County-certified family child care providers. Relatives may become certified to provide care outside the child's home. Parents may also have the option of using a family member or friend of their own choosing by completing a parent inspection of the potential provider's home.

For more information, or to apply for subsidy, please call the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in the county where you live. You may also visit www.state.oh.us/odjfs/cdc/.

Other Subsidy

Families whose income exceeds the level for public subsidy, may be eligible for a United Way Child Care Scholarhship. Families must live in Hamilton, Clermont, Brown or Butler counties. The scholarship is is available to eligible parents who are working or in school or training. Other eligibility guidelines also apply. The income guidelines by family size are:

If your income falls below the minimum shown above, you should contact your County Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for assistance.

Families must be able to use a center funded by United Way. The options are limited. For more information, please contact the Eligibility Specialist at 4C at 513.221.0033.

Kentucky

In Kentucky, public subsidy is generally available for the following families. Other eligibility guidelines also apply.

• Parents who need child care in order to work or attend post-secondary or vocational training
• Parents who need child care in order to participate in a K-TAP work program
• Teen-age parents who are enrolled in high school or GED classes

The current maximum income eligibility is 150% of the federal poverty guideline. Except for protective service cases and families with a monthly income below $900, all families pay part of their child care expenses.

Parents may choose care from any licensed or certified child care provider or may use a non-regulated provider of their choosing by completing an enrollment packet.

For more information or to apply for subsidy, please call the Northern Kentucky Area Development District at 859.283.8189 and tell them you are interested in child care subsidy or visit http://chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dcc/apply.html

Other Subsidy

Parents whose income exceeds the level for public subsidy, may be eligible for a United Way Child Care Sscholarship. Families must live in Kenton, Campbell, Boone or Grant County. Families must be able to use a center funded by United Way. The options are limited. For more information, please contact the Brighton Center at 859.491.8303, ext. 2028 or ext. 2029.

Military

4C is proud to support our military families by participating in the miliatry child care subsidy program sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRA). All activated reserve/National Guard families and most regular active duty families living away from a base are eligible for a child care subsidy depending on (but not limited to) your income, cost of child care and availablity of child care. For more information call 4C:

• in Southerwestern Ohio at 513.221.0033 extension 1351
• in Miami Valley Ohio at 937.220.9660 extension 6200 and
• in Northern Kentucky at 859.781.3511 extension 8554
• or log onto www.naccrra.org/militaryprograms.

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