In our society, most of the responsibility of paying for child care falls on parents. Yet Orange County has the highest rates for child care of any county in the state, and Durham County rates are nearly as high. Many families cannot afford the cost of care on their own.
Listed below are some of the ways that families can get help paying for child care in Durham, Orange and Wake counties:
Tax credits
Parents who have child care expenses and pay federal and/or state income taxes may be eligible to receive assistance through the federal and state Child and Dependent Care Tax Credits, the Child Tax Credit for families with children, and the Earned Income Credit for low-income families.
Child Care Services Association’s Durham County Scholarship Program
Child Care Services Association (CCSA), with funds from Durham's Partnership for Children, a Smart Start Initiative, and United Way of the Greater Triangle, administers a child care scholarship for families in Durham County. To receive a CCSA scholarship, parents must be working, looking for work, in school, unable to work or have a child with a documented developmental need. Children must be enrolled in licensed child care programs that are willing to work with CCSA's scholarship program and that have at least three stars. Families receiving a CCSA scholarship are expected to pay part of the cost of their child's care. Fees are determined based on income and the number of children receiving scholarships. Unfortunately, CCSA does not have enough money to cover all families who need help. As soon as you know you will need child care and think that you may be eligible for assistance please call CCSA at 403-6950.
Durham's Alliance for Child Care Access
Durham's Alliance for Child Care Access manages the vast majority of child care scholarships in Durham County. The Alliance is a collaboration of the Durham County Department of Social Services, Durham's Partnership for Children, a Smart Start Initiative, Child Care Services Association and Operation Breakthrough Head Start. Funds for this subsidy program come from the federal government, the state of North Carolina, Smart Start, Triangle United Way, and other private sources. Child care assistance through Durham's Alliance For Child Care Access is primarily available to parents who are working. If you need child care to work, if your family is in crisis or if your child is developmentally delayed or has special needs, you may qualify for assistance. In some cases, parents attending community colleges or undergraduate schools are eligible. As soon as you know you will need child care and think that you may be eligible for assistance, you should call (919) 560-8300 or you can visit Durham's Alliance for Child Care Access at 1201 South Briggs Avenue in Durham. The Alliance is in Suite 100, right next to Child Care Services Association's Durham office.
Orange County Department of Social Services
The Orange County Department of Social Services (DSS) manages the largest direct child care subsidy program in Orange County to help low income families. Funds for this program come from the federal government and the state of North Carolina. Child care assistance through the Orange County DSS is primarily available to parents who are working. If you need child care to work, if your family is in crisis or if your child is developmentally delayed or has special needs, you may qualify for assistance. In some cases, parents attending community colleges or undergraduate schools are eligible. Priority is given to families who are receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). Unfortunately, there is sometimes a waiting list for these services. As soon as you know you will need child care and think that you may be eligible for assistance, you should call the Orange County DSS at 967-9251 or 732-8181.
Wake County Human Services
The Wake County Human Services Child Care Subsidy Program provides financial assistance to parents for their child care needs. The county receives an annual allocation of state and federal funds for subsidized child care services for its residents, as well as funding from the Wake County Smart Start Program. Child care subsidies are based on an assessment of need, income and family size. Assistance is primarily available to parents who are working. If you need child care to work, if your family is in crisis or if your child is developmentally delayed or has special needs, you may qualify for assistance. In some cases, parents attending community colleges or undergraduate schools are eligible. As soon as you know you will need child care and think that you may be eligible for assistance, you should call Wake County Human Services at
919-773-7600.
Child Care Services Association’s Orange County Scholarship Program
Child Care Services Association (CCSA), with funds from the Orange County Partnership for Young Children, (Smart Start), the Triangle United Way, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, town governments and private contributions, provides the largest private child care subsidy program for families in Orange County. To receive a CCSA scholarship, parents must be working, looking for work, in school, unable to work or have a child with a documented developmental need. Children must be enrolled in licensed child care programs that are willing to work with CCSA's scholarship program and that have at least three stars. Families receiving a CCSA scholarship are expected to pay part of the cost of their child's care. Fees are determined based on income and the number of children receiving scholarships. Unfortunately, CCSA does not have enough money to cover all families who need help. As soon as you know you will need child care and think that you may be eligible for assistance please call CCSA at 967-3272.
Head Start and Early
Head Start
Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs available in Durham, Orange and Wake counties to serve families earning below the federal poverty guidelines. Eligible families receive free child care and a variety of services designed to meet the medical, dental, nutritional and mental health needs of their participating children. Head Start serves children ages three and four years old. Early Head Start serves children from infancy through two years old. Early Head Start gives special priority to teen parents. Both Head Start and Early Head Start do not provide full time child care. Families in Durham who need assistance with the remainder of the day should apply to Durham's Alliance for Child Care Access for help. Orange County families who need additional help should apply to the Orange County Department of Social Services or to Child Care Services Association. Wake County families who need additional help should apply to the Wake County Human Services – Child Care Subsidy Division at 773-7600. For a list of Head Start and/or Early Head Start locations in Durham County, Orange County or Wake County call Child Care Services Association at 403-6950 in Durham, 967-3272 in Chapel Hill/Carrboro, or 732-1148 in Hillsborough or 779-2220 in Raleigh.
More at Four in Durham, Orange and Wake Counties
The More at Four program is designed to provide at-risk four-year-old children with an opportunity for a quality preschool education. This part-day program provides young children with access to a specific curriculum and preschool experience to enhance their school readiness. Top priority for enrollment are children who have not had a previous child care experience, and those who are from low-income families that are eligible for Head Start or free and reduced lunch at school; children with special needs; or Spanish-speaking children. More at Four slots exist in various locations throughout Durham, Orange and Wake counties.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Scholarship Programs
If you are a full-time student at UNC-CH with a gross family income of no more than $50,000 per year for a family of 2, you may apply for a scholarship from the UNC Students for Child Care Scholarship Program. Students and benefits-eligible UNC employees may also qualify for the UNC Child Care Financial Assistance Program. Scholarships provide help with part of the cost of care and may be used at licensed child care programs with three or more stars. Families receiving a scholarship are expected to pay part of the cost of their child's care. Fees are determined based on income and the number of children receiving scholarships. To apply and learn more about the program call 967-3272 or 403-6950.
Funding for Children with Special Needs
All children ages 0-6 with special needs are able to receive special education services. If you have a child under three years of age with special needs, contact your local Child Developmental Services Agency (CDSA) in your county. In Wake County call 662-4600 or visit their web site at www.ncei.org. If you have a child who is or will be three years old soon, contact your local school system.
Child Care Programs
Some child care centers and a few homes offer their own scholarships or provide sliding fee scales based on family income. Child Care Services Association has information about which programs provide this assistance. However, if your child is enrolled in a center or a family child care home, do not hesitate to ask if they can provide you with some assistance. Sometimes centers or homes may be willing to help out on an individual/emergency basis, even though they do not have a regular subsidy fund.
Employer Assistance
Some employers offer child care tuition assistance or Flexible Spending Accounts as part of their benefits package. A Flexible Spending Account is an agreement where your employer sets aside the amount you pay for child care before calculating deductions from your paycheck. Therefore, that portion of your income is not taxed. After paying your child care bills, you submit a claim to your Flexible Spending Account administrator, who reimburses you with your own pre-tax dollars. Ask you employer if they offer any child care options.
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