_edited.png)
AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE
WITHIN REACH
"Every child deserves quality care"
At Healthy Kids, we believe every child deserves access to safe, enriching, and high-quality care. We proudly partner with Tennesse State's child care assistance program to help make our services more affordable to families. Whether your child is just starting out or needs care during the school year or summer, we're here to support you every step of the way.
Is My Family Eligible?
Check the requirements below to see if you qualify
Eligibility Requirements:
​
✓ Children ages 6 weeks through kindergarten​
​
✓ Average 30 or more hours per week of work and/ or post-secondary undergraduate education program; graduate program may count up to 6 hours toward the weekly requirement
​
✓ Household income at or below 85% of the state Median Income
​
✓ For Relatives caring for a child in a Families First Case
​
✓ Parents who receive help from other programs, such as TDHS Family Assistance, the Department of Children Services, or the SNAP Employment & Training program, may qualify for referral-based child care assistance
Eligibility is redetermined every 12 months and families must recertify annually.
2026 Income Limits
N/A
Annual Income Limit
$4,948
Monthly Income Limit
What Documentation Do I Need?
Gather these documents before you apply
-
Proof of Income
-
Proof of residency
-
Proof of work, school or training
-
Identification
-
Child information
Accepted document types include: PDF, DOC/DOCX, JPEG, or PNG
Certain documents may fulfill more than one requirement.
How to Apply
-
Create or log in to your One DHS Customer Portal account
-
Complete the Child Care Payment Assistance application
-
Upload required documents (income, work or school verification, identification, etc.)
-
Submit your application and monitor your case status in the portal. Your application will be processed in the order it is received, whether online or on paper. If more documents are needed you will receive an email with instructions. Not submitting documents correctly and/or on time may result in denial or your application, and you may need to reapply. You may submit a paper application at the links below and then fax, mail, or bring it to your local TDHS office.
Are there other Forms of Assistance?
WDI's Child Care Scholarship Program
Scholarship funding for qualified families ineligible for their local County Child Care Assistance Program funding. This scholarship has much higher income eligibility levels. For example, a family of four: “over-income” for child care financial assistance at $108,631, you can now have a gross income of up to $124,800 and be eligible for this scholarship.
(WAITLIST)
Westchester Works Scholarship
For our Westchester families, this scholarship has much higher income eligibility levels. A family of two "over income" for child care assistance through CCAP can have a gross income of $102,000 and be eligible for the Westchester Works Child Care Scholarship Program.
(WAITLIST)
Have Questions?
We're here to help through every step of the process
Chat With Us
Need help right now?
Use the chat bubble in the bottom right corner—available 24/7 in English and Spanish.