Child Care (updated 6/2017)

Child Care Works

What is it?
Child Care Works, funded by the state and federal governments, provides assistance to low-income families who need help paying for child care. The program pays most of your child care expenses at whatever qualified child care facility you choose. It covers children up to 13-years-old; if children are disabled, they can be covered to age 18. Parents provide small co-payments to cover a portion of care costs.

Do I qualify?
To qualify, the family must live in Pennsylvania, and there must be a child or children who needs child care while you work at least twenty hours per week or work at least ten hours per week while attending an education or training program at least 10 hours. If you are not working, you must have the promise of a job starting within 30 days of your application for the program. Teen parents must attend an education program. There must be proof of identification for each parent or caretaker in the home. Parents can choose providers of their choice, but if they are Relative/Neighbor providers, they will need to comply with participation requirements and complete the CareCheck program (which includes background clearances).

Children must be citizens of the United States or aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residency. Hours of care must coincide with work, education or training. Children are eligible from birth until their 13th birthday, or, in the case of children with disabilities, until their 18th birthday.

Child Care Works Income Eligibility Guidelines
Household Size
Maximum Yearly Family Income
(May 2016)
2
$32,040
3
$40,320
4
$48,600
5
$56,880
6
$65,160
7
$73,460
8
$81,780


How do I apply?
To apply, you can use the COMPASS system, the online resource for cash assistance, or call your local Child Care Information Services (CCIS). You must submit an application using COMPASS to the CCIS office to see if you meet the guidelines for the subsidized child care program.


Head Start

What is it?
Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program for low-income ages birth through five years old.  It provides children with a developmentally appropriate early childhood education. These programs help children develop academic and social skills while providing nutrition, health and support. Families also have the opportunity to obtain services for a variety of needs such as employment, parenting education, or housing. Once families meet income eligibility guidelines and have enrolled in Head Start all services are free.

Do I qualify?
Homeless children, children of households already receiving TANF or SSI, and children in foster care are eligible automatically. In order to qualify for this benefit program in Pennsylvania, you must be a resident of Pennsylvania, you must be a parent or primary caregiver responsible for a child who is too young for public school and you must meet the income requirements.

If you do not meet these criteria, you may still qualify if you are a U.S. national, citizen or permanent resident and:

  • your financial status is low-income or very low-income, 
  • you are under-employed, unemployed or about to become unemployed, 
  • you are pregnant, who is less than 19 years of age or who is the parent or primary caregiver for children under the age of 19 years.
Income eligibility for Head Start and Early Head Start is based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Poverty Guidelines. To learn more about and view these guidelines, please visit the HHS website. To apply or to determine eligibility, you will need to contact an Early Head Start directly. You may locate programs in your area by using the County Help Chart or by calling (1-866) 763-6481. They will provide the required forms and answer questions about the program.

How do I apply?
To apply, you can call your local Head Start program. The number can be found in the County Help Chart. You can also call the Head Start toll free number at 1-866-763-6481.

Early Head Start

What is it?
Early Head Start is a federal program that serves infants and toddlers under the age of 3, and pregnant women. It provides early, continuous, intensive, and comprehensive child development and family support services to low-income infants and toddlers and their families, as well as pregnant women and their families.

Do I qualify?
Eligibility for Head Start and Early Head Start is based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Poverty Guidelines. To learn more about and view these guidelines, please visit the HHS website. To apply or to determine eligibility, you will need to contact an Early Head Start directly. You may locate programs in your area by using the County Help Chart or by calling (1-866) 763-6481. They will provide the required forms and answer questions about the program.


How do I apply?
To apply or to determine eligibility, locate programs in your area by using the County Help Chart or by calling (1-866) 763-6481. They will provide the required forms and answer questions about the program.

PA Pre-K Counts

What is it?
This free program allows for quality pre-kindergarten to be available across the commonwealth. It provides families in participating communities with a choice of quality pre-kindergarten options in a school, child care center, Head Start, or nursery school.

Do I qualify?
Each program offering PA Pre-K Counts classrooms will have its own guidelines, but PA Pre-K Counts is designed for children who are between the age 3 and younger than the entry age for kindergarten and are at risk of school failure either because English is not their first language or due to special needs issues. The child must also meet the income eligibility guidelines of a family income less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, found here.

How do I apply?
There are Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts classrooms in 58 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. Search here to see if there is a program near you.

Special Kids Network

What is it?
The Special Kids Network is a national network of resources and supportive services for children and youth with special needs that provides support, local information, and referrals to their families. The Special Kids Network can connect you with health care products, social services, counseling, occupational therapy, assistive technology (wheelchairs, hearing aids, etc.) recreational activities, and education.

Do I qualify?
You qualify if a child in your family has a physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional need.

How do I apply?
There is no application for this resource. Just call 1-800-986-4550 or TTY: 1-877-232-7640 for information local to you and your child. Trained, knowledgeable staff will be available Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.