This program provides financial child care assistance to low-income parents who are working or preparing to enter the workforce.

Qualifying activities:
A parent, who is eligible for child care subsidy given directly to the provider, must participate in one of the following activities:

• unsubsidized work
• attend high-school (if a teen parent under 20 years of age)
• participate in W-2 employment program
• participate in employment skills training and continue being in unsubsidized employment
• participate in Food Share Employment and Training work search or work experience programs.
• are a W-2 applicant participating in up-front job search, training, or orientation activities.

Type of Child Care:
If the parent is approved for child care financial assistance, the child must be enrolled in a regulated care setting:

• A licensed day care center, licensed family day care home, certified family day care home, or a child care program run by a public school.

Co-payment:
The parent's share of cost is determined on a sliding scale depending on the family income, family's size and number of children in subsidized care, and the type of children care service chosen.

• The co-payment can be as low as 2% of the family gross income
• The program is designed so that the family co-payment should not exceed 12% of the gross income, if the parent chooses a provider with prices within maximum reimbursement limits.

How to apply:
Applicants must call ahead for an appointment and a list of what is needed to establish eligibility. Callat 608-742-9711.

For more information, see the State of Wisconsin Child Care (WI Shares) program site: http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/dws/programs/childcare/wishares/default.htm

For child care provider information (CCPI): http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/dws/programs/childcare/ccpi/default.htm

Interested in becoming a certified child care provider?
Call 4-D's at 608-271-9181.