The Child Care Subsidy Program helps DC families pay for the cost of child care. The program supports families with low and moderate incomes, or other special circumstances that create a need for child care assistance, to access high-quality education and care in the District.

Information for Families
To receive child care subsidies, a family must complete and submit an application for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program. The application is used to determine a family’s eligibility based on factors such as need, income, and family size. Families who receive child care subsidies can choose from a wide range of licensed child development facilities or select an in-home care provider. The DC Child Care Subsidy Program will pay all or part of the family’s child care costs directly to their child development facility or in-home provider. Depending on income, families may be required to pay a portion of the cost of child care directly to the facility.

How to Apply
Families may apply for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program online or in person at the DC Department of Human Services (DHS) or a Level II child care provider facility. Additionally, families experiencing homelessness may apply at the Virginia Williams Family Resources Center. More information on how to apply is available here.

Support is available for families who have questions or need assistance completing the application. DHS eligibility workers and Level II child care providers can assist families applying in-person to complete the application process, and families may also contact DC Child Care Connections at (202) 829-2500 or [email protected].

To submit a complaint related to the DC Child Care Subsidy Program application or determination process, email [email protected].

Resources for families

• Child Care Subsidy Application
  • Click here to complete the application process online
    • Click here to download the application user guide (Español | Amharic)
  • Click here to download a print application to bring to DHS or a Level II provider (Español)
• DC Child Care Subsidy Program Policy Manual
  • Click here for a summary of the policy manual (Español)
• FAQ for Families

Information for Child Care Providers
To participate in the DC Child Care Subsidy Program and serve families receiving child care subsidies, a child development facility must be licensed by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and the provider must complete the subsidy agreement process designated by OSSE.

Licensed child care providers that are interested in participating in the subsidy program should follow the steps below.

1. Complete the DC Child Care Subsidy Program orientation. Follow the steps found here.
2. Complete the DC Child Care Subsidy Program provider application. Child care providers that complete the subsidy orientation will be sent an application to complete and submit with supporting documentation.
3. Complete the DC Child Care Subsidy Program provider agreement. Once OSSE approves a child care provider’s application, OSSE staff will send a subsidy agreement for the provider to sign.

Resources for Child Care Providers

• DC Child Care Subsidy Program Policy Manual
  • Click here for a summary of the policy manual (Español)
• Sliding Fee Scale (Effective Oct. 25, 2024) (Español)
• Subsidy Reimbursement Rates (Effective Oct. 1, 2024)
• OSSE Attendance Tracking System (OATS) Attendance Submission Dates for FY25
• Monthly Attendance Reports
  • Traditional Services
  • Non-traditional Services and In-home care
• Training Schedule for FY25
• Sample Child Care Subsidy Program Provider Agreement for FY25