A KinCare provider is a grandparent or other family member raising a relative’s child. KinCare placements may be made formally through a social service agency but are more frequently arranged without formal intervention, usually occurring when family members voluntarily take the children into their homes to keep them safe in times of family crisis. This arrangement can be challenging from legal, financial, and emotional standpoints. If you are one of the 10,000 KinCare providers in Idaho, you are not alone and there is support available for you in the community.

Select from the links below to find more information about KinCare issues.

Legal Resources

Information about custodial arrangements, legal actions, legal forms, and legal services

Community Resources

Information about financial assistance, health and dental insurance, early childhood education, intervention services for developmentally and physically disabled children, and food assistance programs

Statewide KinCare Support Groups

Information about local support groups

Statewide KinCare Newsletters

Links to regional newsletters

Tax Information

Information about taxes for kincare providers

School Information

Information about school enrollment for kincare children

Hot Links

Links to websites with parenting information and more community resources

Ensuring child care is safe

Supporting families in finding and paying for child care

Supporting child care providers in improving the quality of the child care services they offer

The Child Care Program Office (CCPO) is the lead agency for the Federal Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) functions.

The CCPO monitors, regulates, and licenses child care facilities across the state and further promotes child care quality through grants to Child Care Resource & Referral agencies and the direct administration of the Child Care Grant Program.

The CCPO promotes capacity and accessibility in child care with special attention to infants, school age child care, and children with special needs.

State Child Care Development Plan and Child Care Reports

Information for Parents

• Child Care Assistance
  • PASS I, II, III (eligibility, application)
  • Special Needs Child Care
  • Eligible Providers
  • Forms and Regulations
  • Child Care Assistance Program Policy and Procedure Manual
• Types of Child Care Providers
  • Is your Child Care provider legal?
• Child Care Resource and Referral
  • Current child care openings
  • Information on selecting quality care
  • Inclusive care for children with special needs
  • Regional Contact information
• Questions or Concerns About Providers

Information for Child Care Providers

• Become a Provider
  • In-home/Licensed/Approved Child Care Provider
  • Forms/Regulations
• Child Care Resource and Referral
  • Training and Professional Development
  • How to get referrals
• Child Care Food Program
• Child Care Grant Program
  • Forms and Regulations

Child Care Forms

The Child Care Assistance and Referral program provides financial assistance for child care to low and moderate income Fairfax County families who are working, or who are in education/training programs and need assistance with paying for the cost of child care. The program pays for child care in centers, family child care homes, or School Age Child Care.

Who is Eligible?

• Low and moderate income families who work or are in training (see chart below).
• Families that receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
• Families that participate in the Virginia Initiative for Employment Not Welfare program.
• Families that care for Fairfax County children who are in Foster Care.
• Families that are part of the Child Protective Services system.
• Families with children with special needs, as well as homeless families that apply while they are in a shelter.

CCAR Eligibility Chart
(Effective August 1, 2010 - September 30, 2011)

Larger families with higher incomes may also be eligible for assistance. Interested families should telephone CCAR to determine eligibility and fees.

What Parents Pay

Depending on eligibility, families may be responsible for paying only a portion of the weekly child care fee. CCAR may pay the remaining amount, and also a program registration fee for one year. Parents are responsible for all other charges, including overtime and late fees. Parent fees are:

• Based on income, size of family and the number of children in care.
• Paid directly to the provider.

How to Apply

Call CCAR at 703-449-8484 for more information. You can also download a CCAR application.

Other Programs

The School-Age Child Care Program
Head Start and Early Head Start
Virginia Preschool Initiative Program

The City of Seattle helps low- and moderate-income working families pay for child care for children ages one month to 13 years. Families can choose from more than approximately 135 licensed family child care homes and centers in Seattle, which contract with the City to provide high-quality and affordable child care.

At the time of enrollment, the family will be given a voucher, which authorizes monthly child care payments to the child care home or center that they choose from the list provided. The amount of the payment from the City varies according to the income of the family, age of the child, and hours of care needed. The City typically pays between 25% and 80% of a standardized rate, and the family is responsible for paying the difference between the city child care assistance and the Provider’s regular monthly rate.

The City of Seattle Human Service Department allocated over $2 million in 2010 for child care assistance payments.

Eligibility and Applications

To be eligible, a family must live within Seattle city limits, the parents must be employed or in a job training program, the family must have a gross family income that falls within the guidelines below, and the family cannot be eligible for any other subsidy program.

Eligibility screenings and applications are available by calling the Seattle Human Services Department’s Child Care Assistance office at 206-386-1050.

For services in other languages, call:

Mienh — 206-684-0605
Spanish — 206-386-1012
Tagalog — 206-386-1011
TDD — 206-233-2778

Interpretive services can be arranged for other languages.

Office Location and Contact Information

City of Seattle Human Services Department
Child Care Assistance Program
700 5th Avenue, Suite 5800

PO Box 34215
Seattle, WA 98124-4215
206-386-1050
comprehensivechildcare@seattle.gov

Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday.

What's Available?
Child Care Assistance (CCA) is available to the children of income-eligible parents who are absent for a portion of the day due to employment or participation in academic or vocational training or PROMISE JOBS activities.  Assistance may also be available for a limited period of time to the children of a parent looking for employment or when the parent who normally cares for the child is unable to do so due to hospitalization, or outpatient treatment for physical or mental illness.

Child care services are provided to people participating in activities approved under the PROMISE JOBS program and people who receive Family Investment Program (FIP) assistance without regard to Child Care Assistance eligibility requirements if there is a need for child care services.  PROMISE JOBS staff administer Child Care Assistance for child care needed to participate in PROMISE JOBS activities.

Child care services for a child with protective needs are provided without regard to income.  To receive protective child care services, the family must meet specific requirements, and child care must be identified in the child's case permanency plan as a necessary service.

Who Can Get Help?

You may get help from the Child Care Assistance program if you:

• Have a child who needs care who is under the age of 13 (or under the age of 19 if the child has special needs).
• Are a member of a Family Investment Program (FIP) participant household.

If you're not a Family Investment Program participant, you may qualify for the CCA program if you:

• Have a child who needs care who is under the age of 13 (or under the age of 19 if the child has special needs) and have income under the program's limits and work an average of 28 hours per week; or
• Attend an approvable training or education program full-time; or
• Are looking for work; or
• Are unable to provide care because of an approved medical reason.

How do I apply?

To get most of our services, you must fill out an application form.

If you have access to a printer, you can print an application from this website (see links below).  Complete the application by hand then return it to the DHS office serving the county where you live.

You can also get an application form from any county Department of Human Services (DHS) office. Click on County DHS Office Locations to find the location of the county DHS office nearest you.

Links to Program Applications
 

Who Can Care for My Child?

You may chose a child care provider from a variety of arrangements.  You can choose:

• A licensed child care center,
• A registered child development home,
• A nonregistered child care home,
• Someone who cares for your children in your own home,
• A before-and-after-school program, or
• A child care program operated by or under contract to an accredited public or nonpublic school.

What Must My Child Care Provider Do?

Your provider must be approved by DHS in order to receive payment from the CCA program.  Many providers are already approved by DHS to provide care for the CCA program.  If you do not know whether your provider is approved, ask your DHS CCA worker for assistance.  If your provider is not yet approved, DHS will provide you with the necessary forms to take to your child care provider.

What if I Have Questions?

Any county DHS office can answer questions about the programs and services described here. Contact the county DHS office serving the county where you live (County DHS Office Locations).

The county DHS office serving your county is also listed in the State or County Government section of your local phone book, under "Department of Human Services" or just "Human Services".

You may also contact the Department's Field Office Support Unit by calling (515) 281-6899 or 1-800- 972-2017.

The Child Care Assistance and Referral program provides financial assistance for child care to low and moderate income Fairfax County families who are working, or who are in education/training programs and need assistance with paying for the cost of child care. The program pays for child care in centers, family child care homes, or School Age Child Care.

Who is Eligible?

• Low and moderate income families who work or are in training (see chart below).
• Families that receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
• Families that participate in the Virginia Initiative for Employment Not Welfare program.
• Families that care for Fairfax County children who are in Foster Care.
• Families that are part of the Child Protective Services system.
• Families with children with special needs, as well as homeless families that apply while they are in a shelter.

CCAR Eligibility Chart
(Effective August 1, 2010 - October 1, 2011)

Larger families with higher incomes may also be eligible for assistance. Interested families should telephone CCAR to determine eligibility and fees.

What Parents Pay

Depending on eligibility, families may be responsible for paying only a portion of the weekly child care fee. CCAR may pay the remaining amount, and also a program registration fee for one year. Parents are responsible for all other charges, including overtime and late fees. Parent fees are:

• Based on income, size of family and the number of children in care.
• Paid directly to the provider.

How to Apply

Call CCAR at 703-449-8484 for more information. You can also download a CCAR application.

Other Programs

The School-Age Child Care Program
Head Start and Early Head Start
Virginia Preschool Initiative Program

The Department of Human Services can help eligible working families pay for child care. You do not have to participate in the RI Works Program to qualify for child care assistance.

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive child care assistance, families must meet income requirements.  The number of hours that a parent works or is participating in a work activity, approved training or education program are also factors. Depending on a family's income, they may have to pay a co-payment.  The amount of the co-payment depends on a family's income. See Family Income and Co-Payment Guidelines for the Child Care Assistance Program.    

For parents that participate in the Rhode Island Works Program, there is no income limit for child care because if a family is eligible for RI Works, they would meet the income requirements for the Child Care Assistance Program.

Choosing a Child Care Provider

Parents can choose their child care provider and may use more than one provider to meet their child care needs. Options for child care include:

• a licensed child care center or after-school program; 
• a licensed family child care provider; 
• a certified non-licensed day care providers (this option must be approved by DHS' Office of Child Care) or
• care in the child's home by an approved provider.

For More Information

For information on choosing quality care for your child, or for a listing of licensed or certified childcare providers near your home or work, please call Options for Working Families at (401) 946-2300 or 1-800-516-2055 or go to Options for Working Families.

For more information or an application for the DHS Child Care Assistance Program, please call the DHS Info Line at (401) 462-5300.

• Application for Child Care Assistance
• Instructions for the DHS Child Care Assistance Application 

 LINKS

• Child Care Provider Website (English)
• Child Care Provider Website (Spanish)
• Overpayment Options

Subsidized Child Care Assistance

Subsidized child care in Georgia is provided through the Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program to help low income families afford quality child care. The CAPS program is administered in all 159 Georgia counties through the county Department of Family and Children Services.

Program Overview
Learn more about the CAPS program.

How to Apply for the CAPS Program
Learn about the application process for the CAPS program.

Activity Requirements
Learn about activities requirements for the CAPS program.

Income Requirements
Learn about income requirements for the CAPS program.

Choosing a Child Care Provider
Child care resources for families

Child Care Provider Resources
Information for child care providers.

Forms & Policy
Download an Inquiry Form and review Policy for the CAPS program.

Public Documents
Review Georgia’s Child Care State Plan and Market Rate Survey.

Child Care Data Resources
Find statistics and reports on children and families.

Service Initiatives
Temporary Child Care Assistance (TCCA) ends September 30, 2010.

Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Georgia's Child Care and Parent Services program.

Ferst Foundation
Free books for your children ages four and under

Contact CAPS

Gwinnett County’s children deserve the best of care, and they get it. Quality, nurturing and educational childcare and after school programs abound in Gwinnett to serve our most valuable resource.

Licensed Care Services
Parents in Gwinnett County can choose from more than 200 licensed childcare centers that meet state and federal requirements for staffing, activities, safety practices, health, nutrition and physical environments. The directors and childcare providers in these centers are under regular review for their care and performance. Additionally, more than 590 family providers are licensed to care for children in their Gwinnett County homes.

Some childcare providers offer more than traditional daycare services to infants, toddlers and preschoolers and have branched out to offer Pre-K programs, after-school programs and summer day camps for older children. Georgia’s Pre-K Program is available to all families regardless of their income. Educational experiences in the areas of language and literacy, math concepts, science, music, arts, physical development, and social and emotional development must be provided for at least 6.5 hours a day, five days a week, for 180 days a year.

Basic Requirements
Georgia childcare providers must adhere to basic requirements for admission and enrollment, administration and staff requirements, record keeping and reporting, health and safety, indoor and outdoor activities, food and nutrition and other areas of operation. Georgia requires childcare centers to meet basic staff-child ratios and restricts the number of children permitted within one group or class based on the age of the children. Regulations governing childcare in Georgia can be accessed via the Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning’s Web site www.decal.state.ga.us/osrhome.html.

In addition to meeting the state’s basic standards for all childcare facilities, centers receiving state Pre-K dollars must also meet the programming and curriculum standards articulated by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. For further information, contact Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning at 404-656-5957 or 888-442-7735 or visit www.decal.state.ga.us

Your Childcare Search
Searching for childcare in Gwinnett County can be accomplished in a number of ways. Several quality childcare providers are members of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and are listed in the Chamber’s Membership Directory or on the Chamber Web site www.gwinnettchamber.org.

Quality Care for Children offers a referral service where parent counselors are available to help metro Atlanta parents find quality childcare. Call 404-479-4240. Quality Care for Children also offers a free online childcare search. More than 4,000 childcare programs are included in the database, including family childcare homes, childcare centers, summer camps, Head Start, after school programs, and Georgia’s Pre-K programs. To access the online search, visit www.qualitycareforchildren.org.

Additional Resources:

Child Care Aware
800-424-2246
www.childcareaware.org

Georgia Child Care Association
770-414-1677
www.georgiachildcare.org

Daycare Resource Connection
www.daycareresource.com

Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR)/Office of Regulatory Services
404-657-5700
www.ors.dhr.georgia.gov

Gwinnett Family Child Care Association
678-473-9690
www.gfcca.com

Gwinnett Helpline
770-995-3339

Childcare Assistance
The Georgia Business Expansion Support Act (BEST) offers employers who provide or sponsor childcare services an income tax credit of up to 50% of the employer’s direct cost. The credit cannot be more than 50% of the taxpayer’s total state income tax liability for that taxable year. However, any credit not used in any taxable year may be carried forward for five years from the close of the taxable year in which the costs were incurred.

Childcare assistance is available to low-income families in Gwinnett County through the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services (DFACS). The Childcare and Parent Services Program (CAPS) pays a portion of the childcare expenses for low-income families who need childcare to work, attend high school or participate in job training. Applicants interview with a case manager at the DFCS office when there are funds available to serve new families. For more information, call 678-518-5500.

Children from low-income families may be eligible to attend Head Start or Early Head Start programs. Gwinnett County is served by Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. Head Start. Call 770-532-3191 or visit the Web site at www.ndo.org.

Quality Care for Children, through its emergency childcare program, can pay for childcare for families in a temporary crisis situation for up to two weeks. For more information, call 404-479-4240.

The state Department of Public Health and Human Services administers a number of programs aimed at helping low-income Montanans move out of poverty and become self-sufficient. These include:

Child Care Assistance

The department offers "Best Beginnings" child-care scholarships to qualified low-income families who send children to licensed child-care centers, registered group or family child-care homes, or legally unregistered child-care providers. Each family participates in the cost of that care by making a co-payment based on family income.

Scholarships are available to low-income working families and families who get cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

More on child care assistance

Healthy Montana Kids (HMK)

HMK is a low-cost health coverage plan for eligible Montana children up to age 19.

To be eligible, a child must:

• Be a Montana resident and U.S. citizen or qualified alien;
• Have been without health insurance coverage for at least three months;
• Meet income guidelines; and
• Have parents who do not work for the State of Montana.

Applications for HMK are available at local health departments, WIC offices, Head Start facilities, and Indian Health Services. You can call 1-877-KIDSNOW (1-877-543-7669) to request an application.

More about HMK

Energy Assistance

The department offers two programs aimed at helping low-income individuals reduce their heating costs.

The Weatherization Program helps participants to improve the heating efficiency of their homes and thus reduce their energy consumption. The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) pays part of winter energy bills for eligible people. Most utilities offer discounts to LIEAP recipients.

Eligibility for weatherization and fuel assistance is based on income and assets. Homeowners and renters may apply for these programs.

If your household receives benefits from Supplemental Security Income or the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, you may qualify automatically for weatherization or fuel assistance.

You can apply for energy assistance at your local Human Resources Development Council. Applications for weatherization assistance are accepted year-round. Applications for fuel assistance must be submitted October 1-April 30 .

More about energy assistance

Medicaid

Montana Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that pays for a broad range of medically necessary health care and long-term care for eligible low-income Montanans.

Medicaid is governed under broad national guidelines, but each state can establish its own eligibility standards, decide what services to cover and for how long, and set the rate of payment for services. In Montana, the Medicaid program is administered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).

To be eligible for Montana Medicaid, you must meet financial requirements that take into account your income, assets, and resources. You must be a Montana resident and a U.S. citizen (or qualified non-citizen), and you must fall into one of the following groups:

• Parents or other related adults with dependent children under age 19
• Children
• Pregnant women
• Women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer or pre-cancer
• People aged 65 or older
• People who are blind or disabled (using Social Security criteria)

Medicaid recipients receive either full or basic Medicaid coverage based on which eligibility group they fall into. Those who are eligible for full coverage are able to get coverage for all services that Medicaid covers, assuming they are medically necessary. Full Medicaid is provided to recipients who are:

• Under age 21
• Blind or disabled
• Age 65 or older
• Pregnant

Everyone else receives basic Medicaid coverage. Basic Medicaid covers all Montana Medicaid services except for dental care, audiology services, eyeglasses and vision exams, durable medical equipment, and personal care services in the individual’s home. Services excluded under basic Medicaid may be covered if necessary for employment or in emergency situations.

To find out if you qualify for Medicaid, call or visit your local Office of Public Assistance.
Download Application for Public Assistance (Word Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (PDF Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (Spanish version) (Word Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (Spanish version) (PDF Version)

More about Medicaid

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The program mission is to provide supplemental food assistance to low income people and improve the nutrition, health, and wellbeing of SNAP recipients.  The program plays a vital role in Montana’s safety net for low income people.  The program is an economic stimulus – every $5 in new SNAP benefits generates nearly twice as much ($9.20) in total community spending.  Benefits are distributed electronically using an “Electronic Benefit Transfer” (EBT) card which functions like a debit card.  Among other requirements, applicants must meet income criteria, be United States Citizens or legal aliens intending to live in Montana, and must furnish a Social Security number.  The program was previously known as the Food Stamp Program.

You can apply for SNAP at your local Office of Public Assistance.
Download Application for Public Assistance (Word Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (PDF Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (Spanish version) (Word Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (Spanish version) (PDF Version)
Download Application for SNAP

More about SNAP

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

TANF provides temporary financial assistance to needy families. A household may receive TANF benefits for no more than 60 months.

Those who may be eligible for TANF benefits are:

• Minor children;
• Certain relatives with whom minor children are living, including siblings;
• Women in their last trimester of pregnancy who have no other eligible children; and
• Refugees with minor dependent children.

Among other requirements, applicants must meet income and asset criteria, be citizens or legal aliens intending to live in Montana, and furnish a Social Security number.

You can apply for TANF at your local Office of Public Assistance.
Download Application for Public Assistance (Word Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (PDF Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (Spanish version) (Word Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (Spanish version) (PDF Version)

More about TANF

WIC

The goal of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is to give children the best possible start in life by ensuring that they get proper nutrition both in utero and during their preschool years. The program provides nutritious foods, such as iron-fortified cereal, milk, eggs, peanut butter, and dried beans, as well as formula for mothers who choose not to breastfeed. It also provides nutrition education to improve eating behavior.

To qualify for WIC, you must be either 1) a woman who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or recently had a baby, or 2) a child up to age 5. In all cases, applicants must meet income guidelines, and a health professional must consider their health to be at risk.

More about WIC

HOW TO APPLY FOR LOW-INCOME CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE

Contact the County Department of Social/Human Services of the county you live in to apply for child care assistance. You must fill out an application for child care services and provide information about your family including immunization information, income and your work or school program.

SUBMITTING EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

When you first apply for low-income child care assistance your child care worker may contact your employer by phone to verify hours and wages. You then have 30 days to supply written verification of your employment or education program. This is important! Benefits may be withheld if verification is not submitted. Let your worker know immediately if you cannot get the verification information.

CHOOSING A CHILD CARE PROVIDER

You must pick a child care provider for your children.  You can select a licensed child care center, a family care home, a friend, neighbor, or relative.  You will have to decide the type of care that will be best for your children and meets your family’s needs.  When choosing a provider look for signs that your child will be safe, developmentally stimulated, and encouraged to grow and learn.   Visit the Qualistar Early Learning website for more information on quality child care or refer to the Parent Handbook you received from the county. You can check into any licensing history for licensed or registered providers.

Once you have chosen a provider you need to contact the county immediately so they can authorize care before you take your child to that provider. They will need the name, address and phone number of the provider along with whether they are licensed or not. You may be responsible to the provider for payment if you do not do this.

NOTIFYING THE COUNTY OF CHANGES

In the Low-Income child care program, you must notify your child care worker of any change in your employment or income within 30 days of the change.  For your protection please provide that information in writing and you can use the county's Change of Eligibility Form (SS-7A). If any of the changes mentioned below happen, sit down and write what has changed immediately and get it to your child care worker so you do not forget. This will avoid bigger problems later. These are some of the changes that may happen:  

• Your work hours change
• Changes in the number of people in your household
• Your rate of pay or wages
• Your address
• Your child support income or payment
• Your child care provider
• Your employment status
• Your education status

Any change in your income must be verified by a letter from your employer or by your pay stubs within 30 days of the change.  Make sure you get this information to your child care worker as soon as possible.  Changes may affect your eligibility.  If you change work hours or have to work overtime, you must notify your worker or these hours may not be covered for child care.

COMPLETING YOUR LOW-INCOME REDETERMINATION
Every six (6) months in the Low-Income program, you will be sent a redetermination of eligibility form. This information is required for the county to determine if you still meet the eligibility requirements of the program.  You must turn in the signed form along with copies of the most recent three (3) months of income or education verification in the time specified or your child care will end.

PAYING YOUR PARENTAL FEES

You are required to pay a portion of your child care costs. This is called the parental fee schedule.   The amount paid is based on your gross income and the number of people in your household. The fee should be paid directly to your provider at the beginning of each month and it is the first money the provider will receive for providing care for your children. If you fail to pay the parental fee, child care benefits may end and you could be unable to receive benefits in the future. Your parental fees must be paid even if you change child care providers.   
 

The parental fee covers the hours agreed upon and is shown on your child care certificate.  Providers cannot charge you in excess of the county’s rate for your authorized child care even though their rates for private clients may be higher than the county’s rate.  However, providers can charge you for any hours used beyond those authorized on the certificate or late fees if you pick up your child after hours.

MOVING FROM ONE COUNTY TO ANOTHER

If you move from one county to another, there is no guarantee that your low-income child care benefits will transfer. Each county may have different eligibility criteria for Low-Income child care. Before you move, you must inform your child care worker and they can contact the county you are moving into and find out if your services can be transferred to the new county.

HOW TO RECEIVE COLORADO WORKS CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE
You will need to work with your TANF technician to receive this assistance.

HOW TO RECEIVE CHILD WELFARE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE
You will need to work with your Child Welfare worker to receive this assistance.

For more information and resources visit my blog at

http://friendshelpingfriends.aidpage.com/

Qualifying for Child Care Assistance

• Are you responsible for paying child care costs for a child under 13, or a disabled child under 18, who lives with you?
• Do you, your spouse, and any other parents of children who live in your home, work or attend an educational or training program? If not participating in one or a combination of these activities, do these persons receive disability income?
• Is your household's monthly gross earned income (before any deductions from paycheck) and unearned income less than the amount listed below for your household size?

Apply For Child Care Assistance

The application can be submitted at any Economic Stability parish office or  you can call 1-888-LAHELPU (1-888-524-3578) for assistance.

An interview is not required for CCAP. The following verification of information must be provided:

• 4 most recent check stubs for all jobs for each household member who is working 
• Proof of any of these types of income if received by any household members: child support, adoption subsidy, alimony, SSI, Social Security, Veteran's Administration benefits, Unemployment Compensation, Worker's Compensation, and any other retirement or disability benefits 
• For any adult or parent (including a minor unmarried parent age 16 or older whose child is in need of care) attending school, statement from the educational or job training program verifying hours of attendance each week and the anticipated date of completion
• Social Security cards or proof of application for Social Security cards for all household members
  Note:  Social security numbers are not required for Child Care Assistance eligibility and eligibility cannot be denied for failure to provide social security numbers. If provided, social security numbers may be used to verify income and need for assistance or for data collection or statistical purposes.
• Birth certificates for all children in the home.
• Proof of citizenship or alien status of children in need of care.
• Verification of disability (doctor’s statement, etc) if not receiving SSI, Social Security Disability benefits, or VA Disability benefits. 
• Immunization verification for all children in need of care.

After ApplyingYyou may be contacted by phone or mail for more information. You will not not need to come into the office for an interview. The worker has up to 30 days to process your application. A written notice will be sent telling you of the decision reached. If found eligible, you will receive a notice of eligibility and payment amounts.

Before a decision is reached on your application, you must take the CCAP Rate and Availability Verification form for each child in need of care to your child care provider to complete. It will be your responsibility to return the form completed by your provider and any additional information requested by the due date given. If determined eligible, all payments are made directly to eligible providers.

You may choose care in:

• A licensed Class A Day Care Center 
• A Family Child Day Care Home that meets registration requirements and cares for no more than six children 
• A school program 
• Your own home (provider cannot live at the same residence)
• A licensed child care center determined by the Department of Defense

The amount that is paid is based on household size and income, the number of hours you and any other adults/parents work or attend an educational or training program, the number of hours your child is in care, and the applicable maximum rate. You will be responsible for paying the provider the difference between the total amount charged and the amount the program pays.

Providing false information, withholding information, or failing to report changes is subject to penalty under the law. If providing false information or withholding information causes an overpayment for child care, you may be required to repay to the Office of Family Support the amount of ineligible benefits that you received.  If you purposely fail to report any information that causes you to receive benefits you are not eligible for, you may have fraud charges brought against you and you may be disqualified from participating in the program. If intentional program violation is established, penalties are as follows: (1) six months for the first violation, (2) twelve months for the second violation, and (3) twenty-four months for the third and for any additional violations.

What is the Louisiana Quality Rating System?

It is a quality rating system (QRS) for child care. The goal of QRS is to increase the quality of child care and early learning for all children throughout Louisiana, and to give parents and consumers the ability to understand, assess and demand higher quality.

• Louisiana Quality Rating System

The Child Care Assistance Program of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska assists eligible Ponca members with child care expenses. To qualify, a member needs to reside in one of the fifteen tribally approved service area counties in Nebraska, Iowa, or South Dakota.

PURPOSE

The Social Services Department works collaboratively with State agencies and applicable families to help low income families achieve and continue their independence from state welfare assistance and obtain self-sufficiency.

This program extends the Department’s philosophy of promoting, maintaining, and enhancing levels of social functioning when a person’s ability to do so has been adversely affected by life circumstances.

HELPFUL LINKS

• http://www.ucsfchildcarehealth.org/
• http://nrc.uchsc.edu/RESOURCES/list.htm

FAQs

What are the Ponca service counties in Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota?

• Nebraska: Boyd, Hold, Knox, Wayne, Madison, Stanton, Platte, Burt, Douglas, Sarpy, Lancaster, and Hall
• Iowa: Pottawattomi and Woodbury
• South Dakota: Charles Mix
   

What is meant my “eligible Ponca members”?

To receive assistance, you have to be an enrolled Tribal member; you must have documentation of your enrollment number.

How does a person become eligible for child care assistance?

ELIGIBLE CHILD

• Must be an enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska OR
• Must officially be on Pending Enrollment status (45-day grace period is allowed, with the Tribe making first month’s payment.  If enrollment is NOT verified within 45 days, the child becomes ineligible and parent is responsible for payment beginning the second month) AND
• Must be age 12 or younger OR is 13-18 years old and involved in active protective services (PTON must be used as last resort).  

ELIGIBLE PARENT/GUARDIAN

• Must be employed OR training for work OR attending an educational institution or program AND be
• Free from sanctions from the State Department of Health and  Human Services in the county, town, state in which they reside (NE, IA, or SD), AND
• Free from any past due bill to any daycare agency that provided care to his/her child(ren).

See the Child Care Assistance Application Form.

If I am eligible for services, what are my responsibilities?

• Provide the PTON CCA program with a copy of the denial letter finding        individual ineligible for state assistance
• Report changes in household income, job status, employment, school and/or other educational programs to the Child Care Coordinator within 10 working days of the change.
• Report earnings on a monthly basis.
• Providers will only be paid for the dates that the child(ren) actually attended the childcare program, with the exception of illness or family emergency.
• Notify the PTON CCA program prior to changing child care provider.
• See the Client Rights and Responsibilities.

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Department of Social Services maintains a strict policy on the confidentiality of your records. All information you share or which we become aware of through our work with you will remain confidential. This means it will not be shared with anyone outside our staff unless you have given us written permission.

See our Confidentiality Statement and Release of Information Form.

How long does it take to become eligible for assistance?

To expedite the process, complete all documentation in the application packet. If all documentation is present, processing takes up to 10 days.

What all do I need for documentation?

See the checklist for Child Care Items Needed.

Where do I request information to apply?

Contact 402.371.8834 in Norfolk, NE.

PROVIDER INFORMATION

Hints: How to Select a Child Care Provider

What are the provider’s responsibilities?

• Providers will only be paid for the dates the child(ren) attend the childcare program , with the exception of illness or family emergency.
• If the provider is not licensed, the provider must obtain a criminal background check and provide a copy of a Social Security card to the PTON CCA program.
• Sign a provider agreement with the PTON CCA program.
• Licensed providers must possess and provide PTON CCA program with a current State Certificate or license
• Maintain documentation on all participants in the program and maintain a file on each participant.
• Be w illing to accept the base rate for the child care.
• Meet Tribal and State requirements for an unlicensed Day Care program.
• Successfully pass a site visit to determine if an unlicensed Day Care program meets PTON requirements.
• Verify all information that is provided by the recipients of the CCP.
• Notify the PTON Department of Social Services within ten days if changes occur in the recipients frequency of child care.
• Turn billing summaries in within 45 days of service with attached verification of co-pay being paid on a monthly basis.
  
  CHILD CARE PROVIDER AGREEMENTS

• For Iowa Pottawattamie and Woodbury Counties
• For Nebraska Lancaster, Douglas and Sarpy Counties
• For Nebraska Service Areas: Boyd, Holt, and Knox Counties; Burt County; Hall County; Madison County; Platte County; Stanton County; and Wayne County
• For South Dakota: Charles Mix County

Hello. I am looking for someone that may be able to give a small loan to help my family of 6 pay our utilities, childcare, and mortgage. We have owned our own company for the past five years. We have always done pretty well, well enough to buy a small home, buy an SUV for our family of 6, and pay our bills. Last November (2008), business slowed so much that we have been unable to pay for anything. Christmas was horrible, and after that it got progressively worse. We have tried to keep up, working as many odd jobs as we can....but it hasn't been enough. Our electric bill has skyrocketed, as has our other utilities, my children cannot go back to daycare until the bill is caught up (which leaves me unable to work), we are now in default on our mortgage, and I am scared to death that we will lose our car if we do not catch up on that note. We have always been a family that helps others, gives to charities, and pays our tithes....but now we are in need of help, and do not know where to turn. We have many work related and personal references, and we are very honest and trustworthy people. If you find it in your heart to help us....please contact me at trustinghim10@hotmail.com. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post.