Short-Term Child Care Assistance For Essential Workers
| In 2020, the Arkansas Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education (DCCECE) shared that federal funds were available to help essential workers pay for child care during the public health emergency. The 2021 Federal COVID Relief Package provides additional funding for child care providers and essential worker child care assistance.
Essential workers who are currently getting child care assistance through this program will continue to get assistance through 2021 or until relief funding is exhausted. The new applications process opened on March 1, 2021. The new Essential Worker application must be used. Completed applications and required documentation must be emailed to EssentialWorker@dhs.arkansas.gov for processing.
Essential Worker Application – English | Spanish
If you still need help with childcare, you may be eligible for regular child care assistance. Please apply for the regular child care assistance program by visiting our website at https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/child-care-early-childhood-education/help-paying-for-child-care. That application and the sliding fee scale also are included here to help you. If you have more questions, please call the Child Care Assistance Unit at 501-682-8947.
- Sliding Fee Scale
- Traditional Child Care Assistance Application
- Completed applications should be emailed to FamilySupport@dhs.arkansas.gov.
Child Care Provider Frequently Asked Questions