Child Care Assistance and School Readiness

The School Readiness Program is funded by the State of Florida, and offers financial assistance to families who may need help paying for quality child care, preschool, or after-school care for children ages birth through 12. The goal is to offer quality early learning experiences to young children to prepare them for future success in school.

There are three primary eligibility requirements:

• Parent(s)/guardian(s) must be working or participating in an educational activity such as attending college or trade school at least 20 hours/week.
• Gross income must be at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level for family size.
• Families must pay a copayment for child care based on income and family size.

Other children may be eligible if they are at risk of abuse, neglect or abandonment, their parents or guardians are homeless, are victims of domestic violence, are disabled, or are low-income migrant families or farm workers.