Child Care
West Virginia's Child Care Program is dedicated to improving the affordability, accessibility and quality of child care services. To improve affordability, the Division of Early Care & Education manages a statewide system of Child Care Resource and Referral agencies, which provide resource information and financial assistance to eligible families. Financial assistance covers the majority of the cost of direct care and protection of children while parents work, attend training, or are otherwise unable to provide care. The agencies also educate consumers on selecting appropriate child care and refer parents to providers in their area.
The Child Care Program also promotes safe environments that promote healthy physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth of children by regulating persons or programs that care for children age birth to 13 or up to age 18, if the child has special needs.
Families are eligible for financial assistance if their monthly gross income (before taxes and deductions) falls below 150% of FY 2009 Federal Poverty Level. Once eligible, the family may continue to receive certificates until income exceeds 185% of FY 2011 Federal Poverty Level. Income is adjusted for family size, as the chart indicates. Most families pay a portion of the cost of care.
