City of Refuge Resources

Subsidized child care in Georgia is provided through the Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program to help low income families afford quality child care. The CAPS program is administered in all 159 Georgia counties through the county Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS). It provides financial assistance from state and federal government funds to help low income families obtain quality child care. The CAPS program can subsidize the cost of child care for children who are US citizens or legal residents and under age 13. The age can be extended to 18 if the child has special needs.

 

Families that qualify for the CAPS program can choose their own child care provider as long as the provider meets programs requirements and is authorize to operate by the state child care licensing agency. The CAPS program will reimburse authorized child care providers up to a certain amount. Most eligible families share in the cost of care by paying a fee based on their income, family size and the number of children receiving child care subsidies. This fee is paid directly to the child care provider.

Website here

 

 

To apply for subsidized child care (CAPS program) in Georgia, families must be a resident of the state of Georgia. Georgia COMPASS allows customers to check their potential eligibility and apply for child care online. Customers, who create an account in Georgia COMPASS, can check the status of their application online and renew their benefits. To apply for CAPS click here.

 

If accepted in the program you can choose state licensed child care providers through the Georgia Department of Early Child Care and Learning website here.

 

If you need further assistance finding child care you can call 1-877-ALL GA KIDS (1-877-255-4254).

 

CAPS Activity Requirements:

Once enrolled in the CAPS program, parents must participate in an approved activity in addition to meeting the income requirements.

Acceptable activities are:

• Employed at least an average of 24 hours a week.

• Attending technical or vocational school at least an average of 24 hours a week (only acceptable for one year).

• Have a combination of both employment and attendance at a vocational/technical school at least an average of 24 hours per week (only acceptable for one year).

• A minor, under 21 years of age attending middle or high school full time or attending GED courses at least full time.

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Provider Types

 

Georgia Pre-K

The Georgia Pre-K program is funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education. Children four years of age on September 1 of the current school year whose parents are Georgia residents are eligible. Participation in the program is voluntary (NO COST) for both families and communities. Parents wishing to enroll their children may call their local public school system or local child care learning centers for information and enrollment requirements. Pre-K programs typically operate on the regular school system calendar for the length of a regular school day.

 

Head Start and Early Head Start

Head Start (3 to 4-year olds) and Early Head Start (Birth to 3-years olds) are comprehensive child development programs that serve children from birth to five, pregnant women, and their families.   They are child-focused programs and have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families. Children participate in a variety of educational activities, receive free medical and dental care, have healthy meals and snacks, and enjoy playing indoors and outdoors in a safe setting. These programs are under the governance of the federal government not the state.

 

Child Care Learning Center

This is state registered care provided operated by a person, corporation, or institution to provide child care for children less than 18 years of age for less than 24 hours per day. Child Care Learning Centers are licensed for 19 or more children.

 

Group Day Care Home

This is state registered care provided operated by a person, corporation, or institution to provide child care for children less than 18 years of age for less than 24 hours per day. Child Care Learning Centers are licensed for 7-18 children.

 

Family Day Care Homes (or In-home Child Care)

This is state registered care provided in the caregiver’s home for 3 children, but no more than 6 children under the age of 18 for pay.  The state requires 20 hours of pre-service training, which includes CPR and First Aid, Registration Orientation Meeting for health and safety policies, and a finger print check. An additional 10 "clock" hours of approved and recommended training is required annually.  State surveyors routinely visit all registered providers biannually. They also visit any home immediately if they receive a complaint.