Tel. 1-877-333-1393 - Fax 401-475-4832. info@drdaycare.com
Child care / day care / preschool / pre-k / nursery school are a big part of a family's budget. Sometimes the cost can be as much as a mortgage payment. The following options may help to reduce childcare tuition payments:
The Military Subsidy Program
This program will pay for a family's childcare tuition while a child's mom or dad is deployed. The Rhode Island specialist for the military benefit is Sandy Gasper at Options for Working Families. Sandy can be contacted at 401-946-2304 or email: sgaspar@optionsforfamilies.org. Sandy will answer your particular questions, or you can go to the website: http://www.naccrra.org/MilitaryPrograms/program.php to sign on for the free childcare subsidy. Rhode Island also has a military childcare subsidy in place for a child's family while a family member is deployed. When a parent is already utilizing the RI CCAP (childcare assistance program) before they are deployed, they will continue to be eligible for the childcare subsidy. For further details on this subsidy, call the Department of Human Services/Child Care Assistance Unit at 401-222-7133 or go to www.dhs.ri.gov
Child Care Assistance Program
DHS has a subsidy for childcare tuition for families who are income eligible. For example of a family of three (mom and two children) making $30,906 per year may be eligible for the State subsidy. For further details on this subsidy, call the Department of Human Services/Child Care Assistance Unit at 401-222-7133 or go to www.dhs.ri.gov
Dependent Care Assistance
Dependent Care Assistance is an excellent option and one of the most beneficial ways to save on tuition payments for all families. This options will put money back in a parent's pocket book. To obtain a Dependent Care Assistance Account (DCAP) an employee must go through a company FLEX plan. The flex plan can save a family up to twenty-five percent of childcare expenses based on a parent's tax bracket. Employees need to have a conversation as soon as possible with their employer so they arrange for the DCAP benefit. Anthony Scorpio, CPA, reports the guidelines for a DCAP plan are: 1) children must reside in your home more than half the year and be under the age of thirteen and 2) are members of your household for whom you claim expenses on your federal income tax form 2441(Credit for Child and Dependent Care Expenses). The childcare expenses are paid before federal income taxes or social security is with held.
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit is a tax benefit for people with low or moderate incomes. When you file a tax return, the child tax credit could reduce your tax. You might also receive a refund. More information can be found on the Rhode Island Legal Services Low Income Taxpayer Clinic's website www.lowincometaxclinic.org.
Cabrini Fund
The Cabrini Fund is a scholarship program available to the general public from the Diocese of Providence The scholarship program subsidizes working families. To learn more, contact the Office of Community Services and Advocacy at 401-421-7833 x 113 to request an application.
Scholarships
Check with your child care provider and ask if they are providing scholarships or if they know of local agencies (i.e. ProJo Summertime Fund, or Kiwanis) who provide this type of financial assistance.
Gift Certificates
Families who have grandchild, relatives or friends children in day care should suggest at "gift giving time" (Christmas, Hanukah, birthday) that friends/family purchase a gift certificate from the child care center your child attends to assist in the tuition payments.
The Military Subsidy Program
This program will pay for a family's childcare tuition while a child's mom or dad is deployed. The Rhode Island specialist for the military benefit is Sandy Gasper at Options for Working Families. Sandy can be contacted at 401-946-2304 or email: sgaspar@optionsforfamilies.org. Sandy will answer your particular questions, or you can go to the website: http://www.naccrra.org/MilitaryPrograms/program.php to sign on for the free childcare subsidy. Rhode Island also has a military childcare subsidy in place for a child's family while a family member is deployed. When a parent is already utilizing the RI CCAP (childcare assistance program) before they are deployed, they will continue to be eligible for the childcare subsidy. For further details on this subsidy, call the Department of Human Services/Child Care Assistance Unit at 401-222-7133 or go to www.dhs.ri.gov
Child Care Assistance Program
DHS has a subsidy for childcare tuition for families who are income eligible. For example of a family of three (mom and two children) making $30,906 per year may be eligible for the State subsidy. For further details on this subsidy, call the Department of Human Services/Child Care Assistance Unit at 401-222-7133 or go to www.dhs.ri.gov
Dependent Care Assistance
Dependent Care Assistance is an excellent option and one of the most beneficial ways to save on tuition payments for all families. This options will put money back in a parent's pocket book. To obtain a Dependent Care Assistance Account (DCAP) an employee must go through a company FLEX plan. The flex plan can save a family up to twenty-five percent of childcare expenses based on a parent's tax bracket. Employees need to have a conversation as soon as possible with their employer so they arrange for the DCAP benefit. Anthony Scorpio, CPA, reports the guidelines for a DCAP plan are: 1) children must reside in your home more than half the year and be under the age of thirteen and 2) are members of your household for whom you claim expenses on your federal income tax form 2441(Credit for Child and Dependent Care Expenses). The childcare expenses are paid before federal income taxes or social security is with held.
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit is a tax benefit for people with low or moderate incomes. When you file a tax return, the child tax credit could reduce your tax. You might also receive a refund. More information can be found on the Rhode Island Legal Services Low Income Taxpayer Clinic's website www.lowincometaxclinic.org.
Cabrini Fund
The Cabrini Fund is a scholarship program available to the general public from the Diocese of Providence The scholarship program subsidizes working families. To learn more, contact the Office of Community Services and Advocacy at 401-421-7833 x 113 to request an application.
Scholarships
Check with your child care provider and ask if they are providing scholarships or if they know of local agencies (i.e. ProJo Summertime Fund, or Kiwanis) who provide this type of financial assistance.
Gift Certificates
Families who have grandchild, relatives or friends children in day care should suggest at "gift giving time" (Christmas, Hanukah, birthday) that friends/family purchase a gift certificate from the child care center your child attends to assist in the tuition payments.
