{"id":479,"date":"2026-02-04T11:44:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T11:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/s37407.p1377.sites.pressdns.com\/resources\/child-care-subsidies-and-programs\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T11:45:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T11:45:39","slug":"child-care-subsidies-and-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/child-care-subsidies-and-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"9 child care subsidies and financial assistance programs to help families"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Raising kids is expensive. Many of us began budgeting for our new babies before they even arrived, but few could have predicted just how rapidly the costs of child care would grow over the last few years. According to the parents surveyed in Care.com&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/how-much-does-child-care-cost\/\">2026 Cost of Care Survey<\/a>, 20% of their household income is going to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/child-care\">child care<\/a>, with the average parent depleting a reported 31% of their savings on child care costs alone.<\/p><p>The good news is there may be a child care subsidy or financial assistance program out there to help pay for child care expenses. See which resources you can take advantage of to help lower the costs of raising your child.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" data-toc-id=\"007781fb\">Child care subsidies and government programs <\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. State assistance child care subsidies<\/h3><p>The federal government provides money to individual states to help offset the costs of child care, but the aid available to families varies widely by state.<\/p><p>Many subsidies (called vouchers in some states) have strict income guidelines and are generally for families with children under 13. (The age limit is often extended if the child has a disability.) Be sure to check the requirements because many subsidies permit in-home child care, but some only accept daycare centers.<\/p><p><strong>How to get it:<\/strong> Most assistance is administered through the Child Care and Development Fund block grants. Find the <a href=\"#state-pages\">child care resource for your state<\/a> at the bottom of this article. If you need to use an authorized provider, ask if they will put you in touch with an agency that can help you find one.<\/p><p>Some states distribute funds through social or health departments or agencies. For example:&nbsp;<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.childrenscabinet.org\/who-we-serve\/i-am-a-parent\/child-care-financial-assistance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Children&rsquo;s Cabinet<\/a> in Nevada can refer families to providers, help them apply for subsidies and can even help families who want to pay a relative for care.&nbsp;<\/li><li>North Carolina&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smartstart.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Smart Start<\/a> is a public\/private partnership that offers funding for child care.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul><p>You may also check the National Women&rsquo;s Law Center&rsquo;s latest report on <a href=\"https:\/\/nwlc.org\/resource\/precarious-progress-state-child-care-assistance-policies-2022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">state child care assistance policies<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Assistance for military families<\/h3><p>The federal government offers subsidies to members of the military and the Department of Defense. Eligibility is determined by each branch of service or agency.<\/p><p><strong>How to get it: <\/strong>Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.childcareaware.org\/fee-assistancerespite\/military-families\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Child Care Aware of America<\/a> to find out the specific requirements for your branch or agency.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Early Head Start and Head Start programs<\/h3><p>Look into the federally funded preschool programs called <a href=\"https:\/\/eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov\/programs\/article\/early-head-start-programs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Early Head Start<\/a> (for infants and toddlers under age 3) and <a href=\"https:\/\/eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov\/programs\/article\/head-start-programs\">Head Start<\/a> (for 3- and 4-year-old kids). These programs are primarily available for kids from eligible, low-income families.<\/p><p><strong>How to get it: <\/strong>Reach out to your <a href=\"http:\/\/eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov\/center-locator\">nearest Head Start program<\/a> to find out if your family is eligible.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Free pre-K<\/h3><p>While still fairly limited in the U.S., some cities and states do offer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/state-of-universal-pre-k-programs\/\">free pre-K programs<\/a> (for kids between 3 and 5). When available, free preschool programs are typically reserved to help eligible, low-income families afford child care and prepare kids for kindergarten.&nbsp;<\/p><p><strong>How to get it: <\/strong>Visit your state&rsquo;s early learning resources page to see if free Pre-K programs are offered where you live and, if they are, to find out how to apply.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" data-toc-id=\"9d24e1cf\">Tax credits<\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit<\/h3><p>Working families can qualify for a tax break using the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/hp\/child-dependent-care-tax-credit\">Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit<\/a>. With this tax credit, you are able to itemize up to $3,000 in child care expenses per child ($6,000 maximum).<\/p><p><strong>How to get it: <\/strong>When you file your personal income tax return, use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/forms-pubs\/about-form-2441\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IRS Form 2441<\/a> to itemize up to $3,000 in child care expenses per child ($6,000 maximum), which brings about $600 per child ($1,200 maximum) in tax savings.<\/p><p>If you have more than one child and have access to a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), the rules are slightly different.<\/p><p>&ldquo;Families can&rsquo;t use their FSA and Form 2441 for the same expenses,&rdquo; says Tom Breedlove, senior director of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/homepay\">Care HomePay<\/a>. &ldquo;So that&rsquo;s why a family who has already set aside the maximum of $5,000 in their FSA can only claim $1,000 toward the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.&rdquo;<\/p><p>If you do have an FSA, you can use Form 2441 for the additional $1,000 in child care expenses to save an additional $200.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)<\/h3><p>The EITC is a tax credit available to low- to moderate-income wage earners. The credit can range from a few hundred to several thousand, depending upon how many children you have and what your filing status is.<\/p><p><strong>How to get it: <\/strong>Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/credits-deductions\/individuals\/earned-income-tax-credit\/how-to-claim-the-earned-income-tax-credit-eitc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IRS website<\/a> to see if you qualify for EITC and how to file.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" data-toc-id=\"965251b1\">Employer- and school-sponsored programs<\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Dependent Care Accounts<\/h3><p>The federal government offers this type of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/dependent-care-accounts\/\">Flexible Spending Account<\/a> through employers. Like the Child and Dependent Care tax credit, families are eligible if both spouses (or the parent in a single-parent household) are working or going to school and if their children are under the age of 13. If your job offers a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/hp\/dependent-care-flexible-spending-account\">Dependent Care Account<\/a>, you can put aside up to $7,500 in pre-tax dollars to pay for child care expenses and save approximately $2,000 by contributing the maximum.<\/p><p><strong>How to get it: <\/strong>Talk to your Human Resource department to see if a Dependent Care Account is available to you and how you can get started.&nbsp;<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Work-sponsored child care benefits<\/h3><p>Companies are starting to recognize the burden that working parents face when it comes to child care &mdash; and they&rsquo;re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/careatwork\">creating benefits to help<\/a>, which may include:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Child care reimbursements <\/strong>for working parents.<\/li><li><strong>Tuition discounts for employees<\/strong> who use child care providers in an established company network.<\/li><li><strong>Backup care programs<\/strong>, like those offered through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/business\/products\/backup-care\/\">Care for Business<\/a>, which connect working parents with gaps in child care coverage to vetted, quality child care options at low or no cost.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>How to get it:<\/strong><strong> <\/strong>Check with your Human Resource representative to see if these are benefits that your company offers.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. School-sponsored subsidies<\/h3><p>If you or your spouse is a student, your school may offer financial assistance for paying for child care. For instance, <a href=\"https:\/\/familyresources.oregonstate.edu\/student-financial-resources\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oregon State University<\/a> offers a plan that helps pay for various types of care. Some universities also offer low-cost, on-campus child care for eligible students.<\/p><p>Some states have grants for degree-seeking students to help pay for child care, but they&rsquo;re often distributed through offices of varying names. Here are a few examples:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>In Massachusetts<\/strong>, funds are issued through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/child-care-financial-assistance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Department of Early Education and Care<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li><li><strong>In Oregon<\/strong>, funds go&nbsp; through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oregonstudentaid.gov\/grants\/oregon-student-child-care-grant\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC)<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li><li><strong>In Utah<\/strong>, students can go through the <a href=\"https:\/\/jobs.utah.gov\/occ\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Office of Child Care<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>How to get it: <\/strong>Because these programs are specific to each school, your best bet is to check with the individual college or university.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"state-pages\" data-toc-id=\"999f448a\">Child care subsidies, assistance, services and resources by state and territory<\/h2><p>Find your state or territory in this list below to connect to current information on child care subsidies, financial assistance, services and resources where you live.&nbsp;<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Alabama: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dhr.alabama.gov\/child-care\/subsidy-overview\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Child Care Services Division, Alabama Department of Human Resources<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Alaska: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dhss.alaska.gov\/dpa\/Pages\/ccare\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Child Care Program Office, Division of Public Assistance, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">American Samoa:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.americansamoa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Child Care Division, American Samoa Department of Human and Social Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Arizona: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/des.az.gov\/services\/child-and-family\/child-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Child Care Administration, Arizona Department of Economic Security<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Arkansas: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/humanservices.arkansas.gov\/learn-about-programs\/programs-for-children-families\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, Arkansas Department of Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">California: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cde.ca.gov\/sp\/cd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Early Education and Support Division (EESD), California Department of Education<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Colorado:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/coloradoofficeofearlychildhood.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Division of Early Care and Learning, Office of Early Childhood, Colorado Department of Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnmicclp.gov.mp\/child-care-subsidy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Connecticut: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/portal.ct.gov\/dss\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bureau of Teaching and Learning, Office of Early Childhood, Connecticut Department of Social Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Delaware:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhss.delaware.gov\/dhss\/dss\/childcr.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Delaware Department of Health and Social Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">District of Columbia:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/osse.dc.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Florida: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridaearlylearning.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Office of Early Learning, Florida Department of Education<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Georgia: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.decal.ga.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Guam: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dphss.guam.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Division of Public Welfare, Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Hawaii: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/humanservices.hawaii.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Benefit, Employment, and Support Services Division, Hawaii Department of Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Idaho:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/healthandwelfare.idaho.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Idaho Department of Health and Welfare<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Illinois:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.state.il.us\/page.aspx?item=87061\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Division of Family and Community Services, Office of Early Childhood, Illinois Department of Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Indiana:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.in.gov\/fssa\/2552.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bureau of Child Care, Division of Family Resources, Indiana Family and Social Services Administration<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Iowa:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dhs.iowa.gov\/child-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bureau of Child Care and Community Services, Division of Adult, Children and Family Services, Iowa Department of Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Kansas:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dcf.ks.gov\/Pages\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Economic and Employment Services, Kansas Department for Children and Families<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Kentucky: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/chfs.ky.gov\/agencies\/dcbs\/dcc\/Pages\/find-care.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Department for Community Based Services, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Louisiana: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.louisianabelieves.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Early Childhood Division, Louisiana Department of Education<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Maine: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dhhs\/ocfs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Office of Child Care Family Services, Maine Department of Health and Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Maryland: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Office of Child Care, Division of Early Childhood Development, Maryland State Department of Education<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Massachusetts: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/child-care-subsidy-management-and-ccfa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Michigan: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/mde\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Child Development and Care Program, Office of Great Start, Michigan Department of Education<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Minnesota: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/mn.gov\/dhs\/people-we-serve\/children-and-families\/services\/child-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Community Partnerships and Child Care Services, Minnesota Department of Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Mississippi: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdek12.org\/EC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Policy and Programs Unit, Division of Early Childhood Care and Development, Mississippi Department of Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Missouri:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dss.mo.gov\/fsd\/child-care.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Early Childhood and Prevention Services Section, Children&rsquo;s Division, Missouri Department of Social Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Montana: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dphhs.mt.gov\/ecfsd\/childcare\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Early Childhood Services Bureau, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Nebraska: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dhhs.ne.gov\/Pages\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Nevada:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dwss.nv.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Child Care and Development Program, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services, Nevada Department of Health and Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">New Hampshire: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhhs.nh.gov\/dcyf\/cdb\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Child Development Bureau, Division for Children, Youth and Families, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">New Jersey:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.state.nj.us\/dcf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Division of Family Development, New Jersey Department of Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">New Mexico:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newmexicokids.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Early Childhood Services Division, New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">New York: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ocfs.ny.gov\/main\/childcare\/Default.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Division of Child Care Services, New York State Office of Children and Family Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">North Carolina: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Division of Child Development and Early Education, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">North Dakota:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.nd.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">North Dakota Department of Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Ohio: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/jfs.ohio.gov\/cdc\/index.stm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bureau of Child Care Policy and Technical Assistance, Office of Family Assistance, Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Oklahoma: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/oklahoma.gov\/okdhs\/services\/child-care-services.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Child Care Services, Oklahoma Department of Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Oregon:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/ode\/Pages\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Office of Child Care, Early Learning Division, Oregon Department of Education<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Pennsylvania: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.pa.gov\/Services\/Children\/Pages\/Child-Care-Works-Program.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Pennsylvania Departments of Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Puerto Rico:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/childcare.gov\/state-resources?state=118&amp;type=204\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Puerto Rico Administration of Integral Child Care and Development<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Rhode Island: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.ri.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Family and Children&rsquo;s Services, Rhode Island Department of Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">South Carolina:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scchildcare.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Division of Child Care Services, South Carolina Department of Social Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">South Dakota:<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dss.sd.gov\/childcare\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Division of Child Care Services, South Dakota Department of Social Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Tennessee: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/humanservices.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tennessee Department of Human Services, Citizens Plaza State Office Building<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Texas: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/twc.texas.gov\/students\/child-care-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Workforce Policy and Program Assistance, Workforce Development Division, Texas Workforce Commission<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">U.S. Virgin Islands: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dhs.vi.gov\/child-care-regulatory\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Office of Child Care and Regulatory Services, U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Utah: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/careaboutchildcare.utah.gov\/parent\/search.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Office of Child Care, Utah Department of Workforce Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Vermont: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dcf.vermont.gov\/cdd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Child Development Division, Department for Children and Families, Vermont Agency of Human Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Virginia: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dss.virginia.gov\/children.cgi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Development, Virginia Department of Social Services<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Washington: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dcyf.wa.gov\/services\/earlylearning-childcare\/getting-help\/wccc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Washington State Department of Children, Youth &amp; Families<\/a><span style=\"font-size: revert;, sans-serif\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">West Virginia: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bfa.wv.gov\/child-care-resource-and-referral\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Division of Early Care and Education, Bureau for Children and Families, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Wisconsin: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dcf.wisconsin.gov\/wishares\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Division of Early Care and Education, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families<\/a><\/li><li><strong style=\"font-size: revert\">Wyoming: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dfs.wyo.gov\/services\/family-services\/child-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Early Childhood Division, Wyoming Department of Family Services<\/a><\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Find out if you&#8217;re eligible for a child care subsidy or one of these other money-saving options that can help you pay for child care.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1258,"featured_media":6922,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"enable_toc":true,"care_reviewed_by":0,"care_post_updated_flag":false,"care_updated_date":"2026-02-04T11:44:01.498Z","last_update":"2026-02-04","view_count":336269,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1131],"member-type":[3],"vertical":[6,16,15],"platform":[2],"class_list":["post-479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-budget-and-costs","member-type-seeker","vertical-children","vertical-child-care-options","vertical-money-work","platform-resources"],"acf":[],"created":"2014-10-21","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/479","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1258"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=479"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/479\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":225750,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/479\/revisions\/225750"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6922"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=479"},{"taxonomy":"member-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/member-type?post=479"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=479"},{"taxonomy":"platform","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/platform?post=479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}