EXCERPT FROM: Blogs @augusta.com
Posted by LaTina Emerson
Families that have been affected by the recession might be eligible to receive temporary child care assistance.
The Georgia Department of Human Services has created a new federally funded program called Temporary Child Care Assistance (TCCA) that will be operated under the state’s Child Care Program. The program ends in September 2010 and will provide time-limited assistance with child care costs for families that qualify, according to a release.
The program is designed to assist Georgia residents who are caring for children and actively seeking employment, improving their skills or working part-time. It is available to families statewide, including the Augusta-Aiken area.
“TCCA is a temporary program created to help these families access safe and quality child care so they can concentrate on gaining employment, complete a training program or enroll in an education program to enhance their skill sets,” said Mark Washington, DHS assistant commissioner.
Families approved for TCCA have the option to choose their own child care provider. However, the provider must be registered or licensed with the Department of Early Care and Learning.
Everyone does not qualify for the program. They must meet the criteria listed below.
1. Be a Georgia resident.
2. Be actively involved in either job readiness training, vocational training, technical school or college.
3. Be unemployed or work part-time.
4. Have income that falls within the income guidelines (e.g., a family of four must earn $42,400 in annual income or less to qualify).
5. Care for a child who is 12 years old or younger (or 17 years or younger if they have special needs).
Full text available at http://blogs.augusta.com/node/3646.