Program Allows Eligible Families to Access Subsidized Care for Children Age 12 and Under
BATON ROUGE, La. -- In response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) today opened the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to support essential critical infrastructure personnel. By simply completing
an application, these families can access subsidized care for children age 12 and under at licensed childcare centers participating in the program, or through registered and certified family childcare and in-home providers.
The
Governor's emergency proclamation to close all school facilities to students through at least April 13, 2020, did not include childcare and early learning centers. Early learning centers make individual decisions about whether to close their businesses. However, updated directives from the Governor's Office and health officials have advised limiting group sizes to 10 or fewer children and adults.
"If you can keep your children at home, please do so," said Acting State Superintendent Beth Scioneaux, echoing guidance from the Louisiana Department of Health. "But we must ensure affordable access to childcare for those who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response effort. Opening CCAP to critical personnel is necessary and important as we fight the spread of COVID-19."
Effective today, families of essential critical infrastructure workers are eligible for CCAP, and their applications will be expedited. Essential critical infrastructure workers belong to the following industries:
- Chemical
- Communication and Information Technology
- Critical Manufacturing
- Defense Industrial Base
- Energy (electrical industry, petroleum, natural and propane gas worker)
- Financial Services
- Food and Agriculture
- Hazardous Material
- Health Care/Public Health
- Law Enforcement, Public Safety, First Responders
- Other Community Based Government
- Public Works
- Transportation and Logistics
- Waste and Wastewater
Interested families must complete the CCAP Pandemic Protective Services Crisis Application. Upon approval, initial certification will be valid for 30 days. If the public health crisis continues beyond 30 days, the LDOE will reassess applications.
Access the CCAP Pandemic Protective Services Crisis Application.
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