Wawasee Community School Corporation

Child Care Assistance

The Child Care Development Fund (Ccdf) Program Is Designed to Ensure That Low-income Families Have Equal Access to Child Care and Educational Opportunities. Many Indiana Families Are Unable to Access High-quality Child Care Because It Is Too Expensive. Ccdf Provides Families with the Opportunity to Work, Go to School, or Attend Job Training.

For State Information on the Child Care Development Fund (Ccdf) Voucher Program, Including Current County Market Rates and Eligibility Determination, Click Here.

Click Here to Contact Brightpoint by Email, or Call the Brightpoint Office at (260) 423-3546 or 1-800-589-3506.

Eligibility

• Have a Valid Service Need
• Be Employed
• Attend an Accredited School Program
• Meet Income Guidelines: at or Below 127% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines Based on the Last 30 Days of Income.

How to Apply

1. to Apply for the Child Care Voucher Program, Click Here.

*If You Receive a Duplicate Application Error, Please Click Here to Complete a Paper Application and Submit via Fax to 1-844-510-5775 or Email to Childcare@mybrightpoint.org

2. Every 90 Days the Application Must Be Updated per Reminder Letter from Brightpoint, or You Will Be Removed from the Waiting List.
3. Once You Receive an Open Enrollment Letter from Brightpoint, You Must Schedule an Appointment Either via Phone or Online Within 5 Days of Receipt of the Letter.

Bring to Appointment

Click Here for a List of What to Bring.

Downloadable Forms:

• Cro Card Authorization Form (Must Include a Copy of Photo Id When Submitting)
• Report of Change Form
• Tipped Employee Worksheet ( Worksheet Instructions )
• Self-employed Profit and Loss Statement
• Wage Detail Form
• Mail-in Reauthorization Packet
• Parent Applicant Worksheet
• Parent-provider Statement
• High School Verification Form
• Alternative Wage Documentation Form
• Appeal Packet 
• Name Attestation Form
• Reporting a Provider Complaint
• Provider Information Page
• New Hire Form
• Project Job Search Form 
• Residency Verification  Statement

En Español:

• Cro Autorización De Tarjeta
• Planilla Para Empleados Con Propina Del Programma De Vales De Ccdf
• Resumen De Ingresos Y Gastos Con Trabajo Por Cuenta Propia
• Detalle De Salarios
• Planilla Para El Padre/Soliciante
• Formulario De Apelación Para El Solicitante O Cosolictante
• Autentición Del Nombre
• Información Del Proveedor Del Fondo Para El Desarrollo Y Cuidado De Niños
• Declaración De Residencia

Childcare and Preschool Tuition Assistance

The Child Care and Development Fund is a federal program that helps low-income families obtain child care so that they may work, attend training or continue their education. The purpose of CCDF is to increase the availability, affordability, and quality of child care.

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

School Age Child Care grant application

Grant opportunities are now available for the School Age Child Care program.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Office of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning administers funds for school-age programs through the state School Age Child Care Project Fund. The purpose of the SACC funding is to support school-age programs that offer before/after-school care services to children ages 5 to 15.

OECOSL is excited to introduce the new online application designed to enhance and streamline the process for before and after-school programs applying. Below you will find the link to the application along with additional resources from SPARK who is here to support you through the application process, the SACC manual, and a link to FAQ.

• Application
• SPARK resources
• SACC manual
• FAQ

Beginning March 2020, families can now apply for CCDF using a new, easier-to-use online application called “Early Ed Connect.” Early Ed Connect offers the benefits of:

• Easy use via mobile devices, as well as on a computer or tablet
• Ability to apply for multiple children in one application
• Ability to upload supporting documents, including via photo from a mobile phone
• Ability to save application progress and complete it at a later time
• Notification of successful submission
• Available in English and Spanish
• Online support information and videos
• Click here to apply button

If you have additional questions or would like to speak with an eligibility specialist, please click here.

• Parent’s/Applicant’s Rights and Obligations form
• CCDF/OMW appointment checklist – What do I need to bring?
• Parent/Applicant worksheet (SF 56907)
• CCDF / On My Way Pre-K application (SF 56895)
• Child care assistance residency statement (SF 57163)
• Statement of self-employment profit and loss (SF 57101)
• Wage detail (SF 57100)
• CCDF voucher program tipped employee worksheet (SF 56904)
• Secondary school enrollment verification (SF 56896)
• Name attestation (SF 57096)
• New hire verification (SF 52951)
• CCDF/OMW report of change (SF 52960)

Families must then choose a child care provider who meets CCDF provider eligibility standards. If you need help locating a CCDF-eligible provider, contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency.

• Visit Bright Futures Indiana
• Or you may call 800-299-1627

Families must then have their provider fill out the provider information page.

• How to become a CCDF certified unlicensed provider
• CCDF state plan 2022-2024 (initial submission)
• Public comment responses for CCDF state plan 2022-2024
• CCDF state plan 2022-2024 amendment 1
• Income eligibility and fee schedule effective February 27, 2022
• CCDF reimbursement rates
• CCDF policy manual
• CCDF policy consultant map
• Center agreement policy manual
• School Age Child Care policy and procedure manual
• Repay your debt online by clicking here

Updates:

• Conduent banking information form
• Changes to the CCDF provider eligibility laws effective July 1, 2015
• CCDF provider manual
• CCDF provider website
• CCDF parent website
• How do I approve/deny late attendance?

On My Way Pre-K awards grants to 4-year-olds from low-income families so that they may have access to a high-quality pre-K program the year before they begin kindergarten. Families who receive a grant may use the grant at any approved On My Way Pre-K program.

Benefits of On My Way Pre-K

If your family qualifies for the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning program called On My Way Pre-K to help prepare your child for kindergarten, there are many benefits for your family and your child:

• Only the highest quality Paths To QUALITY Level 3 and Level 4 programs are eligible to accept your OMWPK voucher and can help prepare your 4-year-old to be ready for kindergarten.
• Programs are available in homes, centers, ministries, and schools. Families can choose the option that works best for them.
• Family co-pays are waived during the pre-K year.
• All OMWPK vouchers are full-time/full pre-K year so your child can receive the time they need to prepare for kindergarten - even if you work or go to school part-time.
• If eligible, your family may receive additional weeks prior to the start of the OMWPK year or during the summer following the OMWPK year.
• All OMWPK programs offer family engagement activities to help you feel a part of the pre-K program decisions and learn about what is happening to your child's pre-K day.
• OMWPK programs are required to assess your child's progress during the pre-K year and will keep you informed along the way.
• After the OMWPK year, if your family is eligible, your child can receive high-quality care with CCDF funding if you need before or after kindergarten care while you work or go to school.
   

For each school year (August - June), a child from anywhere in Indiana is eligible for an On My Way Pre-K voucher if:

1. The child will be 4 years old by August 1 of the current year and plans to start kindergarten in the next school year.
2. The child must live in a household with an income below 127% of the federal poverty level. FPL information is available by clicking here or below.
3. Parents or guardians in the household must be working, going to school, attending job training, or looking for a job.

If funding remains, there may be a limited number of vouchers available for children who will be 4 years old by August 1 of the current year, planning to start kindergarten the next school year if:

1. The child lives in a household with incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty level.

These children must also have:

• A parent or guardian living in the household who is working, going to school, attending job training or looking for a job. OR
• A parent/guardian who receives Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income (also known as SSDI or SSI) benefits.

OMWPK Federal Poverty Chart - Monthly income before taxes

What is "Paths to Quality"?

Research shows that high-quality early childhood programs prepare children for future success in school, work, and life. From birth through age 5 is the most important time for the growth of the human brain. A child’s brain develops in response to the child’s experiences by building neurological networks in reaction to the environment.

A child’s experiences in a child care program can significantly contribute to that brain development and the future success of the child. High-quality child care programs are essential, not only to Hoosier children but also to their families and to the communities in which they live. Parents need stable, high-quality care in order to be productive at work. They count on their child care provider to ensure that their child is safe, healthy, and learning during those hours they must be at work. Our school systems need children who are entering school prepared and ready to succeed. Businesses need a high-quality workforce both now and in the future. In fact, studies have shown that high-quality early childhood programs increase the graduation rate, reduce the future crime rate, and can save up to sixteen dollars for every one dollar invested. High-quality child care programs are essential to everyone.

In order to improve the quality of child care programs, states across the nation are using Quality Rating and Improvement Systems, such as the one here in Indiana, Paths to QUALITY™. Quality Rating and Improvement Systems assess the quality of care within a program, work to improve that quality level, and give families an easy-to-recognize symbol that makes the difficult decision of choosing preschool and child care easier. 

Paths to QUALITY™ gives families an easy-to-recognize tool for selecting a child care program. Families can look for the Paths to QUALITY™ logo to determine what level their provider has achieved. Each level builds on the foundation of the previous one, resulting in significant quality improvements at each stage and in national accreditation at the highest level. The system validates preschool and child care programs for ongoing efforts to achieve higher standards of quality and provides incentives and awards for success. The four levels address:

Level One: Health and safety needs of children met
Level Two: Environment supports children’s learning
Level Three: Planned curriculum guides child development and school readiness
Level Four: National accreditation (the highest indicator of quality) is achieved

 Our program (WELC) has demonstrated (to reach Paths to Quality 3)

1. Operating in good standing and has been recognized by the state of Indiana as having met all required health and safety standards.
2. A commitment to improving program quality. We offer opportunities for children to advance their growth and development. We have evidence of a consistent daily schedule, planned activities for children, and provide relevant program information for families.
3. The knowledge and skill necessary for planning appropriate activities and opportunities that lead children toward school readiness. We have made a significant investment in the professional development of the staff, and we incorporate family and staff input into the program.