Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Certificate Program:

What is the Child Care Certificate Program?

The Mississippi Child Care Certificate Program helps low-income families pay their child care tuition fees. The federal government funds this program, which is managed by the Designated Agent office serving your county.

If you meet the guidelines:

The Certificate Program will pay a part of your child care cost. This is called a subsidy payment.

You will pay a part of the cost. This is called the family co-pay.

The subsidy payment and the family co-pay go directly to the child care program.

NOTE: If your child care subsidy does not pay the full amount that your child care program charges, you are responsible for paying the difference between the subsidy payment and the child care center’s tuition charges.

What are the guidelines for the subsidized child care program?

You must submit an application to the Designated Agent’s office to see if you meet the guidelines for the subsidized child care program.

The following are the basic guidelines:

Have a child or children who need child care while you work or attend an education program

Parents who meet income guidelines for your family size -or-

Parents who receive TANF benefits

Parents  in the home who work 25 or more hours a week* -or-

Be enrolled full time in an educational program

Guardians of children in DHS Protective Services, DHS Prevention Services or Foster Care

The child who needs care must be a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residency

Have an open child support case with DHS, if applicable

Parents who are enlisted in the United States Military and are deployed

      *Non-citizen parents with a VISA are only allowed to work on campus 20 hours per week.

How do I show that I meet the guidelines?

You must submit a Child Care Services Application to the appropriate Designated Agent.

You may call the Designated Agent in your county to request an application. The Designated Agent will mail the application to you. You can also visit the Designated Agency to pick up an application.

Make sure that you read the directions on the application carefully. If you have any questions, call the Designated Agency. Complete all sections of the application and make sure that you sign and date the application before you return it to the Designated Agency. You may file your application in person or by mail.

If you are having problems getting the needed information let the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development know right away. DECCD will help you get the information you are unable to obtain.

The information you provide will be kept confidential. The information in your file will be used for your participation in the Child Care Certificate Program.

Documentation Checklist:

• Parent who is working - submit one of the following:

• Check stubs - if you are paid every week, every 2 weeks or twice a month, send us your two most recent check stubs. If you are paid monthly, send us your most recent check stub. Check stubs must prove that you are working at least 25 hours per week.
• If you are self-employed, send a copy of your Estimated Quarterly Tax Report or other method approved by the Designated Agent.
• If you have just started a job and do not have check stubs yet, send a letter from your employer on company letterhead (or a notarized statement from your employer) stating when you began the job, your rate of pay, and the number of hours per week you are scheduled to work. The letter will be good for 30 days, and must be followed up with 2 check stubs.
• If you are paid by personal check, you must submit copies of the front and back of two checks that have cleared the bank.

• Parent in school or educational program

• Teen Parents in High School

• If you are a teen parent and living at home with your parent(s), your parent(s) must be working the required 25 hours per week. Two of your parent(s) check stubs must be submitted.
• If you are a teen parent and living at home with your parent(s), your parent(s) cannot be paid for keeping your child.

• High School-you must be enrolled full time. Current verification of enrollment from the Principal or counselor of the high school is required. Copy of 2 check stubs is required if you are working. There is no work requirement for the student.
• College, working part time- you must be enrolled full time, working less than 25 hours per week. A copy of school enrollment from the school registrar’s office is required. If classes have not started, send a copy of your course schedule followed by the enrollment letter within a week after classes begin. A copy of 2 check stubs is required. Clinical hours can count as work hours.
• College, not working- you must be enrolled full time. A copy of school enrollment from the school registrar’s office is required. If classes have not started, send a copy of your course schedule followed by the enrollment letter within a week after classes begin.

• Long form birth certificate for each child who needs child care is required. If you do not have the long form birth certificate (with the parent’s names on it) we can accept a copy of the birth certificate application and money order until you receive the birth certificate. You will have 30 days to get the birth certificate to us, or 90 days for a newborn. 
• Verification of Child Support Services form
• Copy of check or award letter for SSI, Social Security or alimony

The Designated Agent will send you a notice to let you know if you meet the guidelines. This notice is called a Child Care Eligible Notice. If you do not meet the guidelines the CCIS will send you a notice called a Child Care Ineligible Notice.