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 25 hours per week |
| meet federal income guidelines |
| be willing to pursue child support through the County Domestic Relations office, unless "good cause" can be established (such as in the case of domestic violence) |
| pay to the provider a portion of the cost of child care, based upon your income and family size |
| Foster families established through the state agency must meet the work requirements and are exempt from the income |
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.
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.
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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 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.
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 04:27:04 AM
