Community Care for Kids is the Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency for South Shore. CCR&R agencies provide guidance by giving parents/guardians:
Referrals to local child care programs and providers.
Access to information about location, costs, hours of operations, and curriculum.
Information on Massachusetts licensing regulations.
Information on financial assistance and types of child care subsidies.
Working families depend on the availability of high quality, affordable child care. Parents need to know that while they are at work or school their children are being well cared for.
Community Care for Kids works with parents, child care providers, and community members to ensure that families have access to child care that meets their needs. The program serves 10 cities and towns on the South Shore including:
- Braintree
- Cohasset
- Hingham
- Hull
- Milton
- Norwell
- Quincy
- Randolph
- Scituate
- Weymouth
Types of Child Care Subsidies & Financial Assistance
DTA Voucher
This child care subsidy is funded through the Department of Transitional Assistance. Participants must be currently receiving TAFDC (Transitional Aid for Families with Dependent Children) and be referred by a DTA worker for immediate access to child care. To find out if you are eligible, contact your local DTA office or visit them on-line at http://www.mass.gov/dta.
Income-Eligible (I-E) Vouchers
I-E Vouchers are funded through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care and managed by local Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies. Parents or guardians must meet income guidelines and have a “service need” (i.e. employment and/or attending school or an education/training program) for 30 hours per week for full-time care. Parents may pay a portion of the child care fees which is determined by family size and the gross monthly income of the household. To access this financial assistance, parents must place their name and information on the Massachusetts Statewide Waiting List. To place your names on the waiting list, please call Alda at 617-657-5312 or astankewicz@qcap.org
Contracted Slots
Licensed Child Care programs and Family Child Care Systems hold direct contracts with the Department of Early Education and Care for the provision of subsidized child care. Parents or guardians must meet income guidelines and have a “service need” (i.e. employment and/or attending school or an education/training program) for 30 hours per week for full-time care. Parents may pay a portion of the child care fees which is determined by family size and the gross monthly income of the household. To access this financial assistance, parents must place their name and information on the Massachusetts Statewide Waiting List.
What is the difference between an I-E voucher and a contracted slot?
A voucher can be used with any child care provider or program who accepts vouchers and meets licensing requirements in the state of Massachusetts.
A contracted child care slot is a subsidized space in a specific school, center or family child care system. Once a child leaves that contracted program, the slot becomes available for another child on the programs wait list.
Family Preservation Slots
Eligible participants must have an open case with the Department of Children & Families (previously known as Department of Social Services). Contact your DCF worker for more information.