Financial Assistance

Are you looking for resources to afford child care for your family? Our financial calculator helps you discover financial help options that you may qualify for. 

Our financial calculator helps find the best assistance options for your family. Fill in your information below to create a list of what you may be eligible for. Your information is anonymous and will not be saved.

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The Federal Department of Health and Human Services determines these guidelines based on your personal factors. If you do not know your Income Level, enter your information in the form below and calculate it.

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Cuyahoga County
Cleveland

Publicly Funded Child Care

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) program helps eligible families, with parents/caregivers who are working or going to school pay for child care. The program supports workforce participation by parents and provides early care and education experiences for children. Most licensed care programs accept PFCC for payment. This allows for flexibility and family choice in choosing the best care for their family. Click here to learn more and apply: www.benefits.ohio.gov.

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Child Care Choice Program Voucher

Child Care Choice is a new program launched to support families with paying for child care, who are over income for the state’s Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) and whose gross monthly income is at or below 146% – 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. This voucher program is part of a larger initiative focused on increasing access to quality child care and financial support services for families towards child care costs. Families should apply the same way as you would for publicly funded child care: www.benefits.ohio.gov. 

To be considered for the Child Care Choice Program, the family must meet the following requirements:

  • After you have applied for Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC), submit a completed application for the Child Care Choice Program within 30 days.
  • Review Who can get child care payment assistance? for more information on PFCC requirements.
  • If the family is denied for PFCC for being over income and have a household income at 146% – 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), the County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) will automatically explore eligibility for the Child Care Choice Program.

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Full Day Head Start is a program that provides free preschool education for 3-to-5-year-olds and helps both children and parents/caregivers prepare for kindergarten. Through either direct service or referrals, Head Start children also receive numerous health services ensuring good physical, dental, nutritional, and mental health. You may be eligible for Head Start for the full school day (typically 6 or more hours). Some Head Start programs also offer extended hours of care through publicly funded child care or private-pay child care services.

The full day Early Head Start program provides free early learning to children ages 0 – 3 years old and sets the foundation for early learning, development, and social-emotional skills. Like Head Start Programs for preschoolers, Early Head Start children also receive numerous health services ensuring good physical, dental, nutritional, and mental health. You may be eligible for Early Head Start for the full school day (typically 6 or more hours). Some Early Head Start programs also offer extended hours of care through publicly funded child care or private-pay child care services.

Public preschool is a preschool program offered by your school district, based on where you live. Districts offer different types of preschool options- some full day, some part day. Some are free to residents, and some have fees. You can contact the district directly or contact our Family Resource Navigators for more information about your specific preschool in your district.

All public preschools in Ohio must offer preschool services to children with identified special needs. Our Special Needs Child Care Program team can help walk you through the steps to receive these services from your local school district.

Early Childhood Education (ECE) Grants are awarded to high-quality programs in high-need areas across Ohio. Programs awarded this grant can offer low-income families tuition assistance, or part-day free programming. Contact each site for additional information.

Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) is Cuyahoga County’s award-winning program to help 3- to 5-year-olds access a high-quality prekindergarten program. UPK preschools meet a higher, gold standard of quality. Cuyahoga County provides scholarship assistance to families to send their preschooler to a UPK program.

Sorry, your search didn't return any results. Still need help? Give us a call at 216.575.0061.

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