How to Apply for Child Care

For application assistance, please contact a Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) agent who provides services in your home county.  For additional information on licensed and certified providers, contact the Division of Regulated Child Care (DRCC) at (502) 564-7962.

Information needed for participation in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) includes the following:

• Verification of all income for the adults in the household (pay stubs, receipts, statement of employer, tax forms, etc.).
• Names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers for all household members. (Birth certificates or driver licenses may be used to verify date of birth.)
• If appropriate, verification of a child's disability must be provided.
• If a child is age 13-18, verification of the child's disability or court order for child care must be provided.
• Documentation giving you permission to care for a child if you are not the biological parent or K-TAP designated relative of the child needing care.
• Current immunization records on all children needing care.

Child care assistance is available to children under age 13, or up to age 18 if the child has special needs.

Eligible children must reside in Kentucky with a family whose income does not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Upon approval, children may continue to receive child care assistance benefits. See if your family’s income is within the Income Eligibility guidelines.

Sliding Fee Scale:

To promote parental responsibility, families with a monthly income above $900 may be assessed co-payments.  (The number of family members does not change the amount of the co-pay.)

Families that receive child care subsidies are responsible for paying the payment directly to the child care provider.

Eligible children must reside with a parent or parents who meet the following criteria:

• Parent receives K-TAP benefits and needs child care assistance to maintain employment or enrollment in an education or training program consistent with an employment goal;
• Parent has transitioned off K-TAP benefits within the past 12 months due to employment and the family’s income does not exceed 165 percent of the federal poverty level;
• Parent is employed for a minimum of 20 hours per week; or
• Parent is enrolled in an education or training program and works for wages at least 20 hours per week. NOTE: A parent who is involved for at least 20 hours per week in an unpaid student activity including an internship, practicum or student teaching is exempt from the paid work requirement.

Other Requirements:

Child care assistance is available to teen parents who attend high school or are pursuing a GED. Child care assistance may also be available to a parent who receives, or needs to receive, protective or preventive services. Teen parents who attend high school or are pursuing a GED and families who need child care assistance as a result of protective or preventive services are eligible for CCAP without regard to income and the parental co-payment may be waived.

Eligible families may select the child care provider of their choice.  The provider must be a:

• a licensed child care facility,
• a certified child care provider, or
• an approved registered provider.