Do you live in Dennis, and need child care? A subsidy program has begun for residents

Rasheek Tabassum Mujib, Cape Cod Times
·2 min read

The town of Dennis has started a child care subsidy program to help residents attend a state-licensed children program. The applications are now open.

“We're very excited about the program. I hope that it's a big success so we can increase the funding and the number of families," said Christopher Lambton, the chair of the Dennis Select Board.

According to Lambton, young families often struggle with the cost of day care, and his experiences as a parent inspired him and state Rep. Chris Flanagan, D-Dennis and a former Dennis Select Board member, to initiate a subsidy program.

"We're hoping a lot of families apply. I think it's a great way to help encourage young families to come to Dennis and stay,” said Dennis Select Board Chair Chris Lambton of the town's new child care subsidy program funded by town meeting vote in May.
"We're hoping a lot of families apply. I think it's a great way to help encourage young families to come to Dennis and stay,” said Dennis Select Board Chair Chris Lambton of the town's new child care subsidy program funded by town meeting vote in May.

The funding for the program was approved in May at the Dennis annual town meeting, and will pay the costs of funding and administering the program for birth through 5‐year‐old children of Dennis residents.

What age do the children need to be?

Financial assistance will be provided for children who are born by Aug. 31 and who are not five years or older as of Aug. 31. A subsidy in the form of direct payment to providers for one child per household up to a maximum of $2,400 will be provided for eligible families who meet the income threshold of 150% average median income.

"We're hoping a lot of families apply. I think it's a great way to help encourage young families to come to Dennis and stay,” said Lambton.

What is the deadline to apply?

The application form includes questions to obtain information for verification of eligibility. Applications and complete instructions are now available at the town website.

An application form and required documents should be completed and submitted by Sept. 28 for the program period Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2024.

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Goal: help 50 to 60 families in Dennis in first year

“We're starting off with only one child per family and we are trying to get as many as 50 to 60 different families helped out during this year, which is quite a large number,” said Lambton.

“I'm hoping we have even more families who apply so then it shows how important the program is and how it can benefit people,” said Lambton.

Those who are eligible are encouraged to apply and the board hopes to expand the program in the coming years, he said.

Where is a link to the application form?

For the program overview, an application form and a required documents list, visit the town website at: https://www.town.dennis.ma.us/select-boardadministration/pages/childcare-subsidy-program

For inquiry and more information: DennisCSP@town.dennis.ma.us

Rasheek Tabassum Mujib writes about health care and education. Reach her at rmujib@capecodonline.com.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Dennis residents can now apply for new child care subsidy program