The state and federal governments have made funding available through the Lancaster County Commissioners to assist eligible families in meeting their child care expenses.  The Child Care Information Services, a Community Action Program, is an agent for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and the Lancaster County Commissioners.  The CCIS serves over 1,100 children each year.

Subsidized Child Care for Families is available to low income families with infants, toddlers, preschool and school age children until the 13th birthday, unless the child is certified as developmentally delayed.  In order to qualify you, your spouse or live in companion must meet the following guidelines:

 

work at least 20 hours per week, unless enrolled in a State-approved training program - then work at least 10 hours per week and attend training 10 hours per week;
meet 200% of the federal poverty income guidelines
If a live-in companion is the biological parent of the child(ren) requesting care, their income is to be included;
Report all income including child support;  the agency encourages families to seek all available resources on behalf of the child/children;
Foster families must be recommended through the Children & Youth Agency and only need to show their work schedule.  Income is not counted.
A school district must approve a teen parent's participation in a cyber school;
Need care for a child from birth until the child's 13th birthday unless the child has a disability, which lowers his or her developmental age.

You must also meet family income guidelines as noted below: (effective May 2, 2005):

Family Size Maximum Monthly Income Maximum Yearly Family Income
2 $2,188.33 $25,660
3 $2,681.67 $32,180
4 $3,225.00 $38,700
5 $3,768.33 $45,220
6 $4,311.67 $51,740
7 $4,855.00 $58,260
8 $5,398.33 $64,780
9 $5,941.67 $71,300
10 $6,485.00 $77,820
11 $7,028.33 $84,340
12 $7,571.67 $98,860

(Note: The above information provides only general guidelines. Other conditions may apply.)

Parent Choice of Providers

The CCIS allows caretakers to choose any of the following types of child care facilities (provider must be willing to participate).   A portion of the cost is paid directly to the provider by the CCIS.  All parents are responsible to pay the remaining portion of the fees to the provider. Parents fees are based upon family size and income.   Failure to pay the fee can jeopardize the parent's eligibility for continued subsidy.

Day care center - a state licensed facility providing child care for 7 or more children.

Group day care home - a state licensed facility providing child care for no more than 12 children.

Family day care home - a state certified family residence with one caregiver providing care for four to six children unrelated to the  caregiver.

Minimally certified day care home (unregulated) - a family residence with one caregiver providing care for 3 or fewer unrelated children.  This can be with relatives or unrelated persons.  CCIS does require that these providers have criminal background and child abuse clearances before they can be reimbursed for child care.

If you are a child care provider and wish to enroll with the CCIS, please contact us at 717 393-4004 for details or e-mail to crychalsky[AT]caplanc.org. Providers are paid monthly based upon rates established by the state of Pennsylvania, less parent fees which the provider is expected to collect and report to CCIS.

 

Child Care Information and Referral

For more information about eligibility or if you need help finding a child care program close to your home or work, you may call CCIS's Resource and Referral Service at 717.393.4004 or 1.800.937.4546.  Appointments are available after 5:00 pm.  You can also request information by emailing crychalsky[AT]caplanc.org.

 

Links to other child care information for parents and providers

Keystone STARS quality initiative, sponsored by the PA Department of Public Welfare's Office of Child Development, is a quality improvement system in which all early learning programs and practitioners are encouraged and supported to improve child outcomes.

For a complete copy of Pennsylvania's child care provider regulations (centers, family day care homes and group day care homes), click here.  For an index of links to other state's regulations, click here. 

The Child Care Works of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare describes the state's subsidized child care as well as providing other valuable child care information.

Link here for the ABC's of Child Care, an On-line Handbook for Child Care Providers.  The guide provides helpful procedures and practices for child care providers in maintaining healthy and safe environments for children.  It is published by Center for Disease Control.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a checklist for choosing child care providers.

The Child Care Primer page by the Child Care Action Campaign provides basic information on selecting child care.

cdflogo.gif (4508 bytes)The Parent and Provider Information Network has variety of information and links about child care for both providers and parents.

For excellent information about public policy issues affecting child care and child development programs, take a look a the Children's Defense Fund web site.

American Childcare Solutions is an attempt to consolidate childcare information for Americans with access to the Internet.  This information is provided to help parents select the most appropriate type of child care.

                               
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This page last modified on 01/11/07 04:25:14 AM