The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is a federal program that helps low-income families get childcare so that they may work, attend training, or continue their education. In Indiana, CCDF managed by the Indiana Family and Social Serviced Administration (FSSA) in the office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning. 

To apply for the CCDF and On My Way Pre-k voucher program, you can visit www.earlyedconnect.fssa.in.gov or contact your local intake agent. 

CCDF Qualifications:

• Parents/Foster parents who are working or going to school or have a referral from Department of Child Services (DCS) or a referral from TANF/IMPACT.
• Be within income guidelines.
• Have proof of identity of all family members
• Be a resident of the county where you are applying for assistance 
• Children receiving care must 12 years of age or younger unless they have special needs
• The child receiving assistance must be a U.S. Citizen or qualified legal alien.

On My Way Pre-K awards grants to 4-year-old 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. 

Families living any county in Indiana and meeting the following eligibility requirements will be eligible:

1. Child must be 4 but not yet 5 years old by August 1, 2021
2. Child must be a resident of Indiana
3. Parents/ Guardians in the household must have a service need (working, going to school, attending job training)
4. Families must earn less than 127% of federal poverty level

Benefits:

FULL-DAY, FULL-YEAR EXPERIENCE

Families with children who receive an On My Way Pre-K grant are authorized for a full-day, full-year experience. The family can choose whether their child participates full or part-time, depending on the family’s needs. Providers must offer program options for families based on their normal operating hours. If a family chooses a public or private school program that is part-time, the family can receive wraparound grants at another CCDF approved provider to cover the remaining hours or days.

FAMILY CO-PAYS ARE WAIVED

Co-pays are waived for the On My Way Pre-K program year. Co-pays are calculated at a family level, not at student level. If a family has additional children receiving CCDF vouchers, the co-pays are waived for all the children during the year of the On My Way Pre-K pilot.

53 WEEKS OF SERVICE

Families are guaranteed no less than 53 weeks of service. They will not be left without services for the summer months. If the family chooses a public or private school program that only operates during the school year, they can select another option for the summer program.

CONTINUITY OF CARE

Families do not have to re-apply at the end of the On My Way Pre-K program to continue with high quality programs in kindergarten through a CCDF voucher, but they will need to re-certify at the end of the 53 weeks to confirm continued eligibility. Continuity of care for the CCDF vouchers will continue up to age 12, as long as the family continues to meet eligibility requirements.

Frequently asked questions:

How long does the application process take?

The length of time to complete the process varies based on accurate and timely submission of documentation. Therefore, you should begin the process as soon as possible to ensure you are approved prior to the beginning of the school year.

Do I need to re-apply in order to participate in On My Way Pre-K for the next school year?

Once you are approved as an On My Way Pre-K provider, you do not need to re-apply for On My Way Pre-K. However, you must maintain your CCDF eligibility, which requires a renewal every year. And you will need to sign a new On My Way Pre-K provider agreement each year to reflect any changes to the program.

Why is CCDF used as the standard for On My Way Pre-K?

The legislation that authorized the On My Way Pre-K program requires that providers comply with the standards and requirements for the Child Care and Development Fund.

Income Guidelines:

To qualify for CCDF, your family’s gross monthly income (before taxes and any other deductions) cannot be more than 127% of the federal poverty level. Your family can stay in the program until your income is more than 85% of the Indiana median income guidelines by family size.

Income amounts are figured on gross (before taxes) income. This includes, but is not limited to, overtime, holiday, bonus, sick/paid time off, wages, SSI/SSDI, TANF, unemployment, and child support.