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Child Care Assistance

Important Update: Waitlist for Child Care Assistance

The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has re-implemented a waitlist for new applicants to the CCDF and On My Way Pre-K (OMWPK) voucher programs.

  • Current CCDF Families: If you currently have a CCDF voucher, your existing benefits will continue as long as you remain eligible, complete the re-authorization process, and funding is available. If you seek to add new children to your existing voucher, they will be placed on the waitlist.
  • New CCDF Applicants: Upon applying, families will be placed on the waitlist. Priority is first assigned to On My Way Pre-K applicants, families earning below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and children of child care workers. All other applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Families on the waitlist will be asked to confirm their contact information, employment status, and income every 90 days to remain eligible.

For more information, visit the voucher webpage or contact your local eligibility office.

About CCDF

The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is a federal program that helps low-income families pay for child care so parents can work, go to school, or attend training. This program also makes child care more available, affordable, and improves quality for families.

In Indiana, the CCDF program is administered by the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning, part of the Family and Social Services Administration. The CCDF state plan outlines state- and local-level parameters and includes program outcomes, systems development and eligibility requirements.

Eligibility

To be eligible for CCDF vouchers in Indiana, a family must meet the following criteria:

  • Income: A family's gross monthly income before taxes and deductions must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
  • Residency: The family must be a resident of the county where they are applying.
  • Child age: The child receiving care must be under 13 years old, or a child over 13 with documented special needs until their 19th birthday.
  • Child citizenship: The child receiving assistance must be a U.S. citizen or qualified legal alien.
  • Provider: The family must choose a CCDF-eligible provider .

Additional eligibility requirements include:

  • Proof of identity for all family members
  • A valid service need

How to Apply

Families can apply for Indiana’s child care assistance programs, including CCDF and On My Way Pre-K, through Early Ed Connect, a simple and easy-to-use online application. Early Ed Connect works on computers, tablets, and mobile phones. It allows families to apply for multiple children in one application, upload documents (including photos from your phone), and save progress to finish the application later. The platform is available in English and Spanish and provides online support and videos to help guide you through the process.

  1. Visit Early Ed Connect: Go to the Early Ed Connect webpage.
  2. Create an Account: Set up your account to begin the application.
  3. Fill Out the Application: Enter information for all children who need child care assistance.
  4. Upload Supporting Documents (Optional): Upload such as photos taken with your phone or files from your computer.
  5. Save Your Progress (Optional): If you can’t finish right away, save your application and return to it later.
  6. Submit Your Application: Once everything is complete, submit your application. You will receive confirmation when it has been successfully submitted.

As a reminder, there is a waitlist for CCDF enrollment, and you will be placed on the list once you submit your application. Priority on the waitlist will be given to OMWPK applicants, families who earn below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and children of child care workers. All other applicants will receive vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis as funding is available.

While on the waitlist, you will receive regular communication to re-confirm your interest in receiving vouchers. An eligibility specialist will be in contact with you through the process. More information and FAQs are available here.

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Additional Resources for CCDF and On My Way Pre-K

If you have questions or would like to speak with an eligibility specialist, find their contact information here. Below, you’ll find essential tools, forms, and information to guide you through the application process and beyond.

Forms and Resources

Choosing a Provider

If you need help finding a CCDF-eligible provider, you can:

Eligibility and Policies

Information for Providers