Arkansas expands Child Care Assistance Program, adds two additional groups

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A program to help with early child care expenses in Arkansas has been expanded to add eligibility for two groups.

The state Child Care Assistance Program has expanded to include early child care workers and adoptive parents.

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The program provides child care assistance to low-income working families.

Arkansas Department of Education officials said the department had applied to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a waiver to add the two groups. ADE receives an annual federal block grant of $100 million to fund the program, which it administers.

Under the approved terms, officials said child care workers must work in an Arkansas licensed or registered child care center to be eligible. Foster parents who become adoptive parents will also be eligible, once their status is verified by the Arkansas Department of Human Services’ Division of Children and Family Services.

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Officials said that once and applicant is verified, assistance is available for up to one year.

To participate, parents must be employed or working and participating in education/job skills training for at least 30 hours per week. Children also must attend one of the more than 1,400 child care programs participating in the Child Care Assistance Program.

Program income guidelines are waived, officials said, but income will need to be verified. Households with over $1 million in assets will not be eligible, they said.

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Those interested in applying may do so at the ADE website. Parents and child care facilities with questions should contact Brandy Ishmon at ADE by email or 501-320-8930.

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