We provide subsidies to more working families than most states, allowing families to increase their earning power while remaining eligible for child-care assistance. Child-care assistance is available to families who are not participating in the Family Independence Program as well as to those who are participating. All of these services are designed with the ultimate goal of supporting working parents as they find and maintain employment and improve their economic well-being. Starting RIght, Rhode Island's Early Care and Education Initiative, enhances our state's efforts in this vital area by improving access, affordability, and quality of child care in Rhode Island. You do not have to be a DHS Family Independence Program participant or be receiving any other state aid to qualify for child-care assistance.
Assistance is based primarily on the income of working families.
The hours that parents are involved in work or an approved training or education experience are also a factor. Child-care assistance is guaranteed to all income eligible working families under the Family Independence Act which went into effect May 1, 1997. There are no waiting lists for subsidies and no time limits on assistance. Parents choose their provider and may use more than one provider to meet their child-care needs. They play a vital role in the fabric of a community.