A Guide for Maine Workers and Their Families:
Where can I find quality affordable childcare?

Guide Contents

Contents of this page
6.1 The DHHS Child Care Voucher Program
6.2 The Head Start Program
6.3 Transitional Child Care (TCC) for people who have recently left TANF

There are eight regional Resource Development Centers (RDCs) around the state.

To get the address and phone number for the RDC in your area call 1 (877) 680-5866 or click on the link above. Your local RDC can give you a list of child care providers in your area.

6.1 The DHHS Child Care Voucher Program

Can the Child Care Voucher Program help me with my child care costs?

The Child Care Voucher Program helps make child care affordable for many Maine families. To be eligible for the program, you have to be working, in training, or in school.

To qualify when you apply for the program, your income has to be at or below the amount on the following chart:

If you are already enrolled in the Voucher Program and your income goes up, you will still be eligible to stay in the program if your income is at or below the amount on the chart below:

How much will I need to pay if I’m enrolled in the voucher program?

Although the voucher will cover most of the cost of your child care, you will have to pay a fee based on your income and family size. The fee you pay cannot be more than 10% of your total gross income, no matter how many of your children are in childcare.

How do I apply for the Child Care Voucher Program?

Call the Child Care Development Fund Voucher Management Program (CCDF Voucher Management Program) at 1 (877) 680-5866. Ask them for an application or download one from the DHHS Office of Child and Family Services web site. The CCDF Voucher Management Program will let you know if you qualify for the program and if there are any child care funds available for a voucher at this time.

Even if you are financially eligible, you may not get a child care voucher for you child right away. There may be a waiting list and sometimes the list is long. The CCDF Voucher Management Program can tell you where you are on the waiting list and may be able to give you an idea of how long it will be before funds are available for a voucher.

You may not need to wait as long if:

• Your child has a diagnosed special need;
• You are a teen parent;
• You are in transitional housing as a result of domestic violence;
• You are in a licensed substance abuse program; or
• Your family is involved with child protective services.

Be sure to tell the CCDF Voucher Management Program if you are in one of these categories.

The CCDF Voucher Management Program will ask you to provide updated income information every 6 months, both while you are on the waiting list and after you start getting help with your child care costs. You must give them this information so that you remain eligible.

Do all child care providers take the vouchers?

No, some providers don’t. If you have a child care provider now or if you are looking for a child care provider, ask if they will take a Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) child care subsidy voucher.

Are there other ways for me to get help with my child care expenses?

Yes. Here are some other ways you may be able to get some help:

• Apply directly to a child care center or family child care program (that has a contract with the state) for a slot in their facility. You can get a list of these agencies from the CCDF Voucher Management Program
• Talk to the CCDF Voucher Management Program about other local options for services or programs, including Head Start.
• See if you are eligible for state or federal tax credit help.
• If you are leaving TANF, you may be eligible for Transitional Child Care.

6.2 The Head Start Program

Head Start provides early childhood development services for children ages 3 to 5 and Early Head Start provides these services to children ages 0 to 3. Families with gross monthly income at or below the amount in Table 3 below are eligible. Head Start Programs accept a limited number of children with higher family income. Check with your local Head Start Program to see if your child is eligible.

Head Start services include education, health, nutrition, and social skills. Although Head Start is only a part-time program that takes place during the school year, most Head Starts now offer “wrap-around services” that combine Head Start services with child care services to offer full-day, full-year programs to families. A related program, Home Start, provides Head Start services in centers, in family child care homes, or through a home visiting model. To find out if your child might be eligible for Head Start, contact your local Child Care Resource Development Center (RDC).

For more information about Head Start:

Visit the DHHS Office of Child and Family Services website

6.3 Transitional Child Care (TCC) for people who have recently left TANF

If you received TANF and your TANF has ended within the last 12 months, you will be eligible for Transitional Child Care (TCC) if:

• You have a child age 12 or younger (or older, if the child needs child care because of a physical or mental health problem); and
• You lost your TANF benefits because of increased earnings or you voluntarily left TANF and are working; and
• In a two parent household, you and your spouse both work (there are some limited exceptions to this requirement); and
• Your family income is under the amount in Table 4 below.

If your DHHS worker didn’t enroll you in Transitional Child Care when you left TANF, you can sign up anytime within 12 months of leaving TANF. Contact a DHHS Eligibility Specialist at your local DHHS office to apply.

You will be given a voucher that will cover most of your child care cost, but you will have to pay a fee based on your income and family size. The fee you pay will not be more than 10% of your total gross income, no matter how many of your children are in child care.

If you are eligible for Transitional Child Care you should receive a voucher for child care subsidy. TCC does not have a waiting list.

Important Note: TCC is only for people who leave TANF because of their work. If you leave TANF on your own, be sure to tell your TANF worker that you have a job, so your worker will know you should get TCC benefits.

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