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The average cost of childcare in America is around $15,000 per year. And that is just for one child to be in care during the week. Many felons cannot afford to go to work and put their kids in childcare. The high cost of childcare would take up a good portion of the salary they are working for, making it not worth it in many cases. The good news is that there is childcare assistance for felons, which will make it much easier to afford.
Being able to get childcare assistance may make or break whether or not you are able to hold down a job. The high cost of childcare often makes it difficult for felons to work. The childcare assistance programs that are available provide grants to help pay for the costs. The grants do not ever have to be paid back, unlike loans. You can receive the assistance and not have to worry about owing money back for it at all.
Be sure to check out the qualifications needed for each program, to ensure that you meet the requirements. There are childcare assistance programs provided all across the country, so you should be able to get some type of help paying for the costs.
Childcare Assistance for Felons
Head Start – This is one of the most popular federal childcare assistance programs. Felons who meet the qualifications should be able to take advantage of this childcare program. This program is federally funded and is offered around the country. Felons who are approved for this program will be able to send their kids to childcare for free. The program focuses on providing care to children who are birth to five years old. The qualifications to be approved for this include meeting the low income guidelines and being a citizen or legal alien. Families who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) can automatically be approved for the assistance. To get more information about Head Start and to find out where to apply in your local area, click here.
CalWorks Childcare – Felons who live in the state of California may be able to get childcare assistance through the CalWorks Childcare program. Those who are already receiving cash aid can be automatically approved for the assistance. The program will provide assistance with paying for childcare up until the child reaches the age of 12. The program is administered on a county level, so you would need to contact the office in your county where it is being handled. To get more information on CalWorks Childcare, click here.
ChildCare.gov – The federal government provides information on childcare assistance programs around the nation. They provide a good tool that you can use to locate childcare assistance programs for felons in every state. You can also use their tool to find support for children with special needs. By using their tool you should be able to locate some financial assistance programs in your state, which will help to pay for the costs of putting your kids in childcare. To look up the resources for childcare assistance in your state, click here.
State-Funded Pre-Kindergarten – Some states around the country offer a program that is referred to as pre-kindergarten. It’s a childcare educational program that is open to children between the ages of 3-5. The state pays for the program. In some states you have to meet low income guidelines to get this childcare assistance, but in others (such as in Florida), everyone is able to get it, regardless of their income. This program is not like a typical childcare program. It focuses on teaching children and preparing them to enter kindergarten. Children who attend pre-kindergarten will learn the alphabet, how to count, and get used to being in a school setting. This program is run on a state level, so you have to find the office that runs it in your state. To find the office in your state that provides pre-kindergarten childcare assistance for felons, click here.
In addition to the childcare assistance for felons listed above, be sure to contact your local social services department. Some states offer childcare assistance programs that are funded at the state level. They should be able to provide you with information about childcare assistance programs in your local area.
Another option is to reach out to places that offer childcare and camps for kids. There are many places that offer a limited number of scholarships every year. For example, many YMCA locations around the nation will provide a certain number of children each summer with the ability to attend their day camp, which is like childcare during the summer months, for free.
When choosing a childcare assistance program be sure to take a tour and see what it’s like during the hours that your child would be attending. Seeing the room in action is the best way to know if it’s a good fit for your family.
