The Center for Law and Social Policy in Washington, D.C., reports that the average annual cost of child care for a 4-year-old child can range from $3,016 to $9,628. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, in 2008, 61 percent of children in the United States were cared for at a child-care center. However, child care can be difficult for struggling, low income families to afford. Fortunately, most states have programs that offer assistance for these struggling families.
California Alternative Payment Program
According to the Children's Home Society of California, the Alternative Payment Program helps to pay for part or all of child-care costs for working parents who must attend school. The program also helps parents who cannot care for their children because they are temporarily incapacitated or are looking for permanent housing, including parents who have been homeless. Families can select from a variety of licensed and license-exempt child-care providers within the parents community, as reported by the Children's Home Society of California.
Illinois CCAP
According to the Illinois Department of Human Services, or DHS, the state of Illinois offers a Child Care Assistance Program, CCAP, for low-income, working families. Families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF, who are also participating in education and training with the program, teen parents working toward their high school degree, or parents who are pursuing other forms of education are eligible for this program, as reported by Illinois DHS. Illinois DHS also reports that the program pays for child care through a subsidy in the form of a certificate.
CCCAP
According to Colorado Department of Human Services, the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, CCCAP, helps families that are 130 percent or less of the federal poverty level. Individual counties are in charge of administering their own programs in Colorado, and a combination of federal, state, and county funds pay for the program. The Colorado Department of Human Services reports that this program provides financial assistance to families that are struggling to work, looking for employment, in school, or training or families enrolled in the Colorado Works Program.
References
- Center for Law and Social Policy: Child Care Assistance Helps Families Work: A Review of the Effects of Subsidy Receipt on Employment
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children & Families: FFY 2008 CCDF Data Tables
- Children's Home Society of California: Child Care Assistance
- Illinois Department of Human Services: Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
- Colorado Department of Human Services: Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP)
