Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Hello parents! Below you will find information about the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), where to find out if a child care facility is licensed, and where to report violations or file a complaint. The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) provides financial assistance to low-income families who are in need of child care services. These families must be working, searching for employment or in training, and enrolled in the Colorado Works Program. Under the direction of the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care, local county departments of social services administer the CCCAP program. Eligibility for families is set by the counties. However, counties must serve families whose income is 130% or less of the poverty guideline. Counties will not serve families whose income is over 225% of the poverty guideline. Funding for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program is provided using federal, state, and county funds as well as parent fees. To apply for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, you must fill out an application that you will receive from the County Department of Social/Human Services of the county you live in. You can also view the application here. You will be required to provide information about your family including immunization information, income, and your work or school program. After you apply, a child care eligibility specialist will need to verify your employment, hours, and wages by contacting your employer. Once this is done, you will have 30 days to supply written verification of your employment or education program or you risk having your benefits withheld if verification is not submitted. If you are accepted, you may choose your own child care provider. You may select a licensed center, in-home child care provider, friend, neighbor, or relative. Once you have selected a provider, you must contact the county for approval before child care can begin. The county will need the name, address, and phone number of the provider as well as if they are licensed or not. Any changes that occur will need to be reported to the county via the Change of Eligibility Form (SS-7A) within 30 days of the change. These are some of the changes that may happen that you are expected to report:
Any change in your income must be verified by a letter from your employer or by your pay stubs within 30 days of the change. Additionally, if there is a change in the number of hours that you work, you must notify your child care eligibility specialist to make sure that your benefits do not need to change. Your eligibility will be re-evaluated every 6 months to determine if you still meet the requirements of the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program in your county. You will be sent a redetermination form that you must sign and turn in with copies of the most recent 3 months of income or education verification in the time specified or your child care will end. If you move from one county to another, you must inform your child care eligibility specialist to find out if you will still qualify for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program in that county. Since each county has their own eligibility requirements, your child care benefits may not transfer. You will be required to pay a portion of the child care costs which are called parental fees. These fees will be paid directly to the provider and must be paid on time in order to ensure that your child care benefits are not suspended temporarily or permanently. You will be given a child care certificate that specifies the number of hours of child care that your benefits cover. You will be required to pay for any hours that are beyond the number of hours stated on your child care certificate as well as any late fees for after hours pick-up that the provider may charge. ** If you are looking for assistance through the Colorado Works Child Care Program, you will need to work with your TANF technician. **If you are looking for assistance through Child Welfare Child Care Assistance, you will need to work with your Child Welfare worker. If you would like to find out if a Colorado child care facility is licensed or has any complaints filed against them, go to the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care website. Or, you can contact them using the following information: Colorado Licensing and Standards Contact Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care 1575 Sherman St. Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone: (303) 866-5700 Fax: (303) 866-4047 If you would like to file a complaint or report a violation: If possible, try to resolve minor concerns and complaints with the child care provider or director of the child care center. If you believe that physical or sexual abuse is involved, you are advised to inform local law enforcement. However, if you have concerns about the facility that cannot be resolved comfortably with the child care provider or directory, you may file a complaint with: Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care 1575 Sherman St., 1st Floor Denver, CO 80203-1714 (303) 866-5958 or 1-800-799-5876 Click here to read about Colorado Child Care Licensing Return to Home Page from Colorado Child Care Assistance Program
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