LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ESTABLISHES WAITING LIST FOR FAST CHILDREN’S ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is allowing eligible families to apply for the Child Care Assistance Program before the waiting list begins on October 1st. The program currently serves approximately 24,500 Louisiana children. As the number of eligible families approaches the program’s budgeted funding level, a waiting list is established to ensure that funding is available to eligible families who apply before the end of September. The waiting list also implements a process for eligible families who apply on or after October 1st to access funding as it becomes available.

Louisiana’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides families with financial support for child care services. CCAP helps parents or legal guardians who are working, attending school or receiving job training to pay for high-quality care for children under 13 or children with special needs up to 18 years of age. CCAP pays a portion of child care costs, and families pay the difference charged by the provider.

In February, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved increasing payment rates and expanding eligibility to serve more working families. As a result, CCAP participation increased to serve an average increase of 3,000 additional children. At the current rate, the number of eligible families expected to apply could exceed the amount of funds available. A waiting list has been established so that eligible families can access places as funds become available.

Applications received by October 1st will be reviewed and funds will be awarded immediately upon determination of eligibility. Eligibility is currently determined within 60-90 days of receipt of a complete application. Qualifying children experiencing homelessness, children from families participating in STEP or Early Head Start child care partnerships, children in foster care, or children with special needs are exempt from the waiting list.

Eligible families who apply on or after October 1st will be placed on a waiting list. They will be notified that they have been placed on the waiting list through the LDOE website when they apply online or by mail when using a paper application. When funds are available, families at the top of the waiting list will be notified by phone, mail and email. There is currently no limit to the number of families that can be added to the waiting list.

Families can apply online. A document with frequently asked questions was created with more information about the CCAP waiting list. For additional information or questions, contact the LDOE by email at [email protected]. Questions may also be directed to 1-877-453-2721.