Governor lifts freeze on Child Care Subsidy List

Gov. Larry Hogan has announced that the administration has lifted the longtime freeze on the Maryland State Department of Education's Child Care Subsidy program list. The Child Care Subsidy Program provides financial assistance to help eligible working families afford child care costs by issuing vouchers.

A waiting list for the program was established in March 2011 for all non-Temporary Cash Assistance families. In November 2012, the freeze was lifted for the three lowest income tiers, and the five next tiers were opened in March 2013. The two highest income tiers have remained frozen since 2011 ? until now. Eligible parents who have registered to receive the assistance have started to receive letters notifying them that funds are now available to process their Child Care Subsidy application. Additionally, others may also apply for the program.

The governor also announced an eight percent increase for child care subsidy providers. The rate increase will decrease the gap between voucher/family copay amounts and the tuition charged by providers, thereby increasing the number of affordable childcare options for low-income families.

The Child Care Subsidy application can be found at http://earlychildhood. mar ylandpublicschools.org/families/child-caresubsidy-

program/subsidyforms.