Louisiana Department of Education Allowing Enrollment in Child Care Assistance Program Before Waitlist Begins October 1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana – The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) revealed on September 22, 2022, that it is allowing qualified families to enroll in the Child Care Assistance Program before a waitlist begins on October 1. Approximately 24,500 Louisiana children are now served by the program. As the number of eligible families approaches the program’s planned funding threshold, a queue is being established to ensure that funding is available for qualified families who apply by the end of September. The backlog also includes a procedure that allows qualified families that apply on or after October 1 to get financing as soon as it becomes available.

Louisiana’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps families pay for childcare services. CCAP assists working, schooling, or training parents or legal guardians in paying for high-quality child care for children under the age of 13 or children with special needs up to the age of 18. CCAP covers a portion of the child care expenditures, with families responsible for the difference.

In order to serve more working families, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved an increase in payment rates and extended eligibility in February. As a result, CCAP participation has increased to serve an additional 3,000 children on average. At the current rate, the number of qualified families expected to apply may outnumber the cash available. The queue was created so that eligible families could get seats as soon as money became available.

Applications received before October 1 will be assessed and funded as soon as they are determined eligible. Currently, eligibility is determined within 60-90 days of receiving a complete application. Children suffering from homelessness, children from STEP or Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership families, children in foster care, and eligible special needs children are exempt from the waiting list.

Applicants who apply on or after October 1 will be placed on a waitlist. They will be told that they have been placed on the waitlist via the LDOE website if they apply online, or by mail if they apply by paper. Families at the top of the waitlist will be notified via phone, mail, and email when money becomes available. Currently, there is no restriction on the number of families who can be added to the queue.

Online applications are available for families. More information on the CCAP waitlist can be found in a frequently asked questions document. For more information or inquiries, please contact the LDOE at [email protected]. If you have any questions, please call 1-877-453-2721.