COLUMBUS — A new state program to help families cover the cost of child care is open for business.
The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) is now accepting applications for the Child Care Cred Program, which allows participating employers and eligible families to split the cost of child care with the state.
Participating employees and employers would each be responsible for 40 percent of child care costs, while DCY would cover 20 percent.
The program allows employers to cover part or all of the employee share, if they choose.
“We enthusiastically support the enactment of the Child Care Cred program as a way to ease the burden of childcare costs for working families and support employers with a tool to attract and retain talent in the workforce,” said Amy Goyal, Amy Hiner and Maura Teynor of the Richland County Foundation’s Women’s Fund.
“This public-private partnership between employers, employees and the State of Ohio brings to life a powerful belief that we’ve long known: investment in high-quality childcare is a game changer for women and our economy and is a worthy use of public funds.”
Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received, according to DCY Chief Communications Officer Jodi Norton Trimble.
“Applications will be accepted through May 1, 2026, and approved based upon eligibility and availability of funding,” the spokeswoman said.
Child care costs inhibit state’s economy
The Child Care Cred program is new to Ohio. State legislators allocated $10 million for the pilot program in the last biennium budget cycle. The funds must be spent by the end of June 2026.
“To continue beyond that date, additional funding would need to be approved by the Ohio General Assembly,” Norton Trimble said.
“Based on average annual child care costs, we anticipate that 3,000 children may be served by this program.”
Ohio’s lack of affordable child care does more than strain families and household budgets. It’s also one of the state’s biggest workforce challenges, experts have said.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation estimates child care coverage gaps cost the state’s economy around $5 billion each year.
“Child care isn’t just a family issue, it’s a workforce issue,” said DCY Director Kara Wente.
“The Child Care Cred Program makes care more affordable for parents, while giving Ohio employers a smart, practical way to support their teams. It’s a win for families, businesses, and communities across our state.”
Who is eligible?
Ohioans are eligible if their household income is between 200 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty line.
That’s a maximum of $106,600 a year for a family of three and $128,600 for a family of four based on the 2025 guidelines.
Participating families must live in Ohio. Their employers must be based in Ohio.
Families are not eligible if they are already enrolled in the state’s Child Care Choice Voucher Program or a recipient of the Early Childhood Education Grant or Publicly Funded Child Care.
Once approved, families may enroll their child in a licensed program or remain with their current provider and receive assistance with costs. Providers do not have to be rated through the Step Up to Quality system to participate.
Families who use an in-home aide certified by the county jobs and family services are also eligible for the program.
Applications and more information are available on the Ohio Department of Children and Youth‘s website.