PATCH: Paying for Child Care

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Steps to Choosing Quality Child Care Licensing and Accreditation Child Care Options Paying for Child Care Preschool Open Doors Locating and Choosing Child Care Preparing Your Child Get Ready for Kindergarten Resource Links Special Services for Military Families	Paying for Child Care You are now leaving the PATCH website and being directed to an external site. The content of this site is not the responsibility of, or under the control of PATCH. PATCH makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the content of any products, services, vendors or other entities identified on this site. Furthermore, the privacy and security policies of the linked site may differ to those practiced by PATCH. I understand and I wish to visit the site Continue or Cancel Paying for good child care can be a struggle. In fact, child care is probably the second largest expense in your budget after rent or mortgage. The average cost of child care in Hawaii is $400 per month. This cost can vary depending on the age of the child, location, and type of care desired. Think about what your family needs, and take a close look at your budget. Are there alternatives to paying for full-time child care? Is it possible to work fewer hours or share hours of child care if you are in a two-parent household and working at different times? Could you share child care expenses with another family? Can you rely on several relatives or friends to help you with some of your child care needs? What should you do? Plan ahead. Start thinking about your child care options and their costs. Child care is a big expense, so make sure it is of high quality. Find out what kind of help may be available. Each type of child care financial assistance has different qualifications, like income level or employment status. Make sure you get all of the facts. By planning ahead, getting the facts, and using all of the resources available to help you, you are off to a good start in making the best choice for your family. Local Subsidy Programs Please contact your local PATCH office and we will refer you to the appropriate contact for information on child care subsidies supported by the State Department of Human Services. (Please note, PATCH does not administer the State child care subsidy program.) Here is information on other resources for child care assistance: Arbor Child Care Connections is a federal subsidy program helping families pay for child care services. For more information call an office in your area.In Honolulu (Hawaii Kai - Halawa) call 356-5555,or in Waipahu (Aiea - Wahiawa to Waialua; Waipahu - Makaha) call 356-5577. Click here for Arbor Child Care Connections information. Preschool Open Doors Program (POD) is a statewide early education and care project funded by the State of Hawaii. POD helps 3 and 4 year old children go to preschool by helping families pay preschool costs. For more information call our office on Oahu: 587-5254 and Neighbor Islands: 1-800-746-5620 (toll free). Click here for our Preschool Open Doors web page. Alu Like Native Hawaiian Child Care Assistance Project Phone: (808) 535-1300; Eligibility: Native Hawaiian children, there are also income requirements (please call for more information). Enrollment: Statewide, there are limited funds available. Web Site: www.alulike.org/hookauha.htm Pauahi Keiki Scholars Program Services for children (3-4 yrs. old) of Native Hawaiian ancestry. Preschool program must be approved by Kamehameha Schools. Applications accepted January through April of each year. Contact: (808) 534-8080, Web Site: Pauahi Keiki Scholars Program Maui County Subsidy Services support lower income families on Maui to access child care for young children. Family must be working or attending school. Applications accepted year round. Contact: 808-242-1608 Employer/College Support Some employers (or colleges, if you are a student) provide child care scholarships, discounts, or on-site child care at reduced rates. Child Care Providers Some child care providers offer scholarships, discounts or a sliding fee scale. Head Start and Early Head Start These are federally funded programs that provide free child care and other services to help meet the health and school readiness needs of eligible children. Most, but not all, families who access Head Start or Early Head Start must have incomes that meet federal poverty guidelines. Statewide contacts for Head Start programs are listed below: Kauai Child and Family Service, Inc Phone: 808-245-5914 Hawaii Family Support Services of West Hawaii Phone: 808-329-7773 CDI (Community Development Institute) Head Start Phone: 808-961-0570 Maui Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. Phone: 808-249-2988 Maui Family Support Service, Inc. Phone: 808-242-0900 Oahu PACT Koolauloa Early Head Start Phone: 808-293-5530 Parents and Children Together Phone: 808-847-3285 Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. Phone: 808-521-4531 Tax Credits and Assistance Find out what tax programs you might be eligible for to assist you with your child care needs. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) You may be able to lower your taxes and even get up to several thousand dollars back if you qualify for the EITC. To qualify you must be working full or part-time and make less than a certain amount based upon family size. You don’t have to owe any taxes to get the EITC. Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit If you have a child under 13 and owe federal income taxes, this tax credit can help cover a portion or all of the taxes you owe if you qualify. Dependent Care Assistance Programs Your employer may offer this program which allows you to have money taken out of your paycheck tax-free and put into a special account to be used for child care tuition reimbursement. The main purpose of this type of program is to lower the amount of taxes you have to pay during the year. However, you can’t claim any money you put into this account for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (described above). IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program helps low-income workers complete their tax forms. For more information on VITA and other tax related questions, call 1-800-829-1040. To get more information call the State of Hawaii’s Dept. of Taxation on Oahu: 587-4242, Kauai: 247-3456, Hawaii: 974-6321, Maui: 984-8500 or the IRS at 1-800-829-3676 and request Form #596 Earned Income Credit and Form #503 Child and Dependent Care Expenses, or ask your tax accountant. You can also visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov or the State of Hawaii’s Dept. of Taxation website at www.hawaii.gov/tax.	DHS Child Care Subsidy News The State Department of Human Services (BESSD) Benefit, Employment and Support Division has modified the structure and decreased the rates of child care subsidies. DHS has secured additional sources of funding to temporarily help families that experience a decrease in their subsidy payment. Child care providers and affected families may contact PATCH for information and assistance. Click here for a link to the Proposed Changes (also attached as a PDF: Childcare Services PDF.) Here are links to articles and information from two local News sources: Honolulu Star Bulletin: Dec. 8, 09: Changes would keep child care subsidies Honolulu Advertiser: Nov. 21, 09: Hawaii may cut back preschool tuition subsidies to families Dec. 4, 09: Families could pay more for child care Local Subsidy Programs Tax Credits and Assistance

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