Child Care for Parents
Overview
The State of Ohio assists families that are working, in school or training, or are experiencing homelessness with paying for child care that supports the development and learning of their child(ren) in a licensed center or family child care home. Allen County offers over 40 local providers and centers to aid in meeting families specific needs.
Do I Qualify?
There are currently three options available to families. Families may be eligible for more than one type of support option:
- Publicly Funded Child Care: eligibility is based in gross income under 145% of the FPL and family size. Caretakers (parents) must be working or in another approve qualifying activity. The children must meet citizenship requirements and must be 13 years old or young. Children over 13 with special may be eligible up to age 18.
- Child Care choice voucher program: eligibility is based in gross income under 200% of the FPL and family size. Caretakers (parents) must be working or in another approve qualifying activity. The children must meet citizenship requirements and must be 13 years old or young. Children over 13 with special may be eligible up to age 18.
- The Ohio Preschool Program (OPP, previously known as ECE). Families with children ages 3, 4, or 5 (who are not yet in kindergarten) may qualify for the OPP Grant without meeting income requirements if the child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), if the child is in kinship or foster care, or if the child is exiting early intervention.
Gross Income Requirements & Federal Poverty Level (click here for chart):
- Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) = under 145% of the FPL
- Child Care Choice Voucher Program (CCVP) = under 200% FPL
- Ohio Preschool Program (OPP) = Under 200%
Resources
Currently there are three types of providers: child care centers, type A homes and type B homes.
Allen County Child Care Services does not select a provider, you must choose the child care provider that will meet your needs.
The following information will help you determine the difference between each category of provider.
Child Care Centers
Child Care Centers are licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. A child care center is licensed to care for more than 12 children at a time.
Family Child Care Home Providers
Type A and Type B Family Child Care homes are licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services based on a recommendation and inspections conducted by Allen County Job and Family Services. A Type B child care home is a private residence licensed to care for up to six children. A Type A child care home is a private residence licensed to care for up to 12 children.
Search by Quality
The Ohio Department of Education and Job and Family Services ranks some child care programs by quality. Providers have the opportunity to earn up to five stars, which is the highest ranking a provider can earn.
For additional help deciding between different types of child care providers, review How to Choose a Child Care Provider.
Who is eligible?
What does gross monthly Household Income Mean?
Gross monthly household income means your total income before taxes. That includes your paycheck, child support, cash assistance, social security, disability, etc.
What is 145% to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level?
View the Federal Poverty Level for your family size HERE. To use the chart, first find your family size. (For more information on how to determine family size see Paying for Child Care) If your gross monthly income is equal to or less than the income listed for your family size, then you are probably eligible for the child care program. Final eligibility can only be determined by completing an application.
Paying for Child Care
Your provider receives payment from two sources:
1. Publicly Funded Child Care
Your child’s attendance will be recorded through the Ohio TAP (Time & Attendance Payment) and your provider will be paid accordingly.
2. Your Co-payments
Families are required to pay a family co-payment as part of their eligibility for child care; the amount you pay is based on your monthly gross income and family size.
Once you are approved for child care, you and your provider will receive a notice of your weekly co-payment. This weekly fee may be assigned to a particular child or to all children. Providers may collect the fee on a weekly or monthly basis. You should request a receipt for your fees. If you do not pay the fee on time, the provider can refuse to care for your children and your child care case can be closed.
Your fee is determined by using the Child Care fee table. The fee table is here solely as a guide. Because calculating your gross monthly income and your family size can be complicated, what you actually pay will be determined by a Consumer Specialist.
Gross Monthly Income
Keep in mind that gross monthly income means your total income each month before taxes. That includes your paycheck, child support, cash assistance, social security, disability, etc.
Family Size
Typically, family size includes the number of children living in your home plus:
- The biological parent(s), or
- The caretaker/legal guardian, or
- The foster parents
Do not include additional adults in the household who are not caretakers or parents.
Determining who is included in family size can be complicated. It is in your best interest to review all your household members with ACJFS Child Care Services.
Need assistance creating your online account?
Child Care in Ohio
If you disagree with any action on your case or if you believe ACJFS has not taken an action it should have, you may request a hearing by phoning the ODJFS Consumer Access Line at 1-866-635-3748 or by emailing your request to BSH@jfs.ohio.gov or contact Allen County directly at (419) 228-2621 or Allen_CDJFS_Hearings@jfs.ohio.gov.
To find out more about state hearings, please review the state hearing section of the ODJFS Program Enrollment and Benefit Information document.
Contact Us
Please use the following information to contact us about child care services:
Phone: (419) 999 – 0269
Email: childcare-allen@jfs.ohio.gov