Child Care Assistance Program Opens in Louisiana for Critical Hospital Personnel Due to COVID-19 Surge

Published August 16, 2021

Due to the recent surge in hospitalizations in Louisiana from COVID-19, a child-care assistance program is now being offered to some healthcare workers to access subsidized care for children age 12 and under.

From the Louisiana Department of Education, Baton Rouge, LA – In response to the critical staffing shortages in acute care hospitals in the fourth surge of COVID-19, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) today opened the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to support essential hospital personnel in Tier 1 or 2 hospital settings. These families can access subsidized care for children age 12 and under at Type III licensed childcare centers or through registered and certified family childcare and in-home providers for 12 months by simply completing an application PDF (will open in new tab) and providing a signed letter of employment and title.

Effective today, families of essential hospital personnel in Tier 1 or 2 hospital settings are eligible for CCAP and their applications will be expedited. Essential hospital personnel includes the following titles:

• Nurses, LPN, RN, APRN
• Nursing Assistants – Medical Assistants, Aides, Personal Care Attendants
• Therapists – OT, PT, Respiratory
• Mental Health, Social Worker, Counselors
• Emergency Medical Technicians
• Laboratory Staff
• Nutritional Staff
• Janitorial Services
• Other employees that provide direct care

As of now, applications will be accepted through October 31, 2021. Interested families must complete the CCAP Pandemic Protective Services Crisis Application PDF and submit a signed letter on hospital letterhead verifying title and employment. Follow this link to view and download the CCAP Pandemic Protective Services Crisis Application PDF.

Upon approval, certification for child care services will be valid for 12 months. The Department will reassess applications as it continues to monitor the need.

If essential hospital personnel need care during hours that do not fit traditional child care center hours such as night-time care, they may have someone become a CCAP certified in-home provider and come into their home to provide care. Follow this link for more information about how someone can become an In-Home Child Care or Family Child Care Provider
For Emergency CCAP.

Follow this link to access the CCAP Pandemic Protective Services Crisis Application PDF.

Follow this link to view Child Care Assistance Program subsidy rates PDF.

For more information, please contact [email protected].