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 Help Paying for Care
Child care, along with housing, food and taxes, is a major family expense. Some families spend half of their income to place their child in a quality child care program. Although fees vary greatly, you should expect to spend 10% to 20% of your gross income on child care. If someone makes $38,000 it’s unlikely that they’d only be spending $3800/year. In addition to weekly fees, some programs charge more for transportation, meals, and trips. Some impose penalties for late payments, and most will expect payment if a child is absent.
Be certain you understand exactly what the fees include. It’s wise to ask the provider when fees were last raised and by how much; this can help you to anticipate future fee increases.
Several financial resources and benefits are available to help families manage the high cost of child care:
Westchester County Child Care Scholarship Program
The Westchester County Child Care Scholarship is for working families in Westchester who are over income for public subsidies but have difficulty paying for child care. Families must reside in Westchester; have their child enrolled full time in a program that is regulated by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and fall within the income guidelines. Parents residing in the household must be employed full time.
If your children is not currently in a regulated program, you must be willing to move them to a regulated program to be eligible. Please call the Council’s Referral Department at 914-761-3456 x 140 for assistance in locating an OCFS regulated program.
In 2008, scholarships under the Westchester County Child Care Scholarship Program will be distributed in two rounds:
| Round 1 |
June 1, 2008 – May 31, 2008
The deadline for applications was Friday April 11, 2008. Applications are currently being reviewed. Notification of award or denial will be sent to all applicants during the week of May 5, 2008.
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| Round 2 |
September 1, 2008 – August 31, 2009 |
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(Includes Sally Ziegler Scholarship)
Applications and Income Guidelines will be available in early June. Application deadline July 11, 2008
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Child Care Subsidy System
Many low income working families are eligible for assistance to pay for child care. The Council provides Subsidy Support Services which include: assistance applying for child care subsidies; completing an application; obtaining the required documentation; understanding the rules and regulations of the subsidy program; and much more.
Contact our Subsidy Coordinator, Arlene Leuzzi, at ArleneL@cccwny.org or call 914-761-3456 ext 122.
Information is also available by calling the Westchester County Department of Social Services at (914) 995-6521.
Tax Credits
Click here for more information.
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