As of Spring 2021, funding for essential workers has been granted through December 2024.
If you are classified as an essential worker, you can apply for free childcare.
Essential personnel, under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, includes but is not limited to emergency responders, health care providers, public health personnel, manufacturing workers, sanitation workers, child care and early childhood staff, and individuals involved in the food supply chain during pandemic.
Assistance will be paid directly to the licensed child care provider. The provider must participate in the child care voucher program.
The vouchers will be paid during the public health emergency. Payments would cover the full cost of child care during that time, as funding allows.
If you make less than $2,954.98 each month for a family of two, you may qualify for traditional child care assistance instead of the short-term assistance for essential workers. See all income information here for other family sizes.
For the 2021-2022 school year, you will need to complete the following form then bring it to the Early Childhood Center (409 N. Thompson, Springdale) or email it to vjohnston@sdale.org to be completed on our end. Then we will give the form back to you and you will send it to FamilySupport@dhs.arkansas.gov
Essential Worker Child Care Assistance Application (English)
Essential Worker Child Care Assistance Application (Spanish)
The application also has a list of required documentation. In order to expedite the processing of the application, please send the required documentation listed on the application in when you submit the completed application.
IF you were an essential worker and had a voucher with our program during the 2020-2021, then contact your case worker and let them know if you need to deactivate it until August 2021.
If you have additional questions, please contact 479-750-8889