Child Care Assistance Program Updates
Child Care Assistance Applications are now being accepted!
Child Care Assistance Program Updates
The Department of Human Services has fully reopened the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), restoring access to all eligible families.
To apply, families can visit ChildCareNJ.gov, the state’s website, then go to the secure online application system MyNJHelps, to complete and submit an application. You may also contact our office for guidance and support in accessing quality child care options.
What to Expect After You Apply
After you submit your application, a Child Care Resources representative will:
- Contact you with next steps and let you know which documents are required. Please note uploading documents directly to MyNJHelps is not currently an option.
- Provide instructions on how to submit documents.
- Once you’ve submitted all required documents, your application will be reviewed, and you will be contacted about your eligibility status.
If you need help at any point, please contact us at 732-918-9901 or info@ccrnj.org for assistance.
Families can also check whether they are eligible for Head Start or if their school district offers free preschool for three- and four-year-olds.
The cost of child care for families represents a major household expense, often exceeding other expenses, such as housing. The State of New Jersey offers programs that can help families with the cost of child care. Low and moderate-income working families may be eligible to receive state subsidies for child care, including preschool instruction, before and after-school programs, summer camps and care for children with special needs.
Child Care Resources helps Monmouth County’s families link with these subsidy programs. Subsidy programs can be used for a variety of types of child care, such as licensed child care centers, registered family child care homes, licensed before and after-school programs and summer camps.
The subsidy programs available in Monmouth County are (please click on the links below to learn more about each subsidy program):
- New Jersey Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) – This program provides child care payments for families who are working full time, going to school full time or a combination of both.
- Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) – The eligibility for this program is determined by the Monmouth County Division of Social Services (MCDSS). If eligible, a parent is referred to Child Care Resources for their child care needs.
- Department of Education (DOE) Preschool Wraparound Child Care – This program is for those children enrolled in Department of Education Preschool programs in Asbury Park, Keansburg, Long Branch or Neptune for before and after-care and summer programming.
- Specialized Programs – These child care subsidy programs include programs that meet special populations, such as those children in Child Protective Services through the Department of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P), children in legal custody of their grandparents or other family members and programs funded through other entities other than the State of New Jersey.