Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) | Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services

Quick Facts

• Administering agency: Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) Early Childhood Operations.
• Funding sources: Combination of federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) dollars and state investments, including the Early Childhood Education Fund.
• Benefit structure: Monthly subsidy paid directly to eligible child care providers on behalf of families, with sliding-scale parent co-payments.
• Coverage: Licensed centers, registered family child care homes, school-based programs, and some license-exempt providers participating in the state quality rating system.
• Priority groups: Very low-income families, children with special needs, foster children, and families experiencing homelessness receive expedited processing.
• Renewal: Eligibility is certified for 12 months regardless of fluctuations in income or work schedule, consistent with federal continuity of care requirements.

Program Overview

Louisiana’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) bridges the affordability gap for working families by subsidizing tuition at high-quality early learning sites. In 2025 the state continues its ambitious “Birth to Five” strategy, expanding CCAP rates to incentivize quality improvement and align payments with true market costs. Families can choose from hundreds of centers rated in the state’s Early Childhood Performance Profile system, ensuring children receive developmentally appropriate instruction while parents pursue employment, education, or job training.

The Louisiana Legislature increased CCAP reimbursement rates for infants and toddlers by an average of 15% in July 2024, acknowledging the high cost of quality care for the youngest children. Additionally, Louisiana expanded eligibility to families earning up to 85% of the state median income, the maximum allowed under federal regulations, allowing more middle-income households to access subsidies. CCAP now integrates with the state’s Ready Start Networks, regional coalitions that coordinate enrollment, family engagement, and quality improvement across parishes. Families benefit from single-door applications, warm handoffs to Head Start or school-based pre-K, and wraparound services like developmental screenings and nutrition assistance.

Why CCAP Matters in 2025

Child care costs in Louisiana average $8,700 annually for infants—more than tuition at many state universities. Without assistance, families often resort to informal care, shift work misalignment, or leaving the workforce entirely. CCAP lowers out-of-pocket costs to manageable co-payments, ensuring parents can maintain employment and advance careers. The 12-month eligibility guarantee stabilizes schedules, reducing the churn that previously forced parents to reapply when hours changed or when they took short-term gigs.

CCAP also supports Louisiana’s economic development goals. The state’s growing ports, petrochemical industries, and expanding tech sector rely on a steady workforce. With CCAP, employers can recruit and retain talent by pointing workers to subsidized child care slots. Meanwhile, early childhood providers reinvest higher reimbursement rates in teacher wages, curriculum materials, and facility improvements, boosting quality across the system.

Eligibility Breakdown

1. Income thresholds: Families qualify if their gross monthly income is at or below 85% of the state median income. For 2025 that equates to roughly $4,800 for a family of three and $5,620 for a family of four. LDOE publishes detailed charts by family size.
2. Activity requirements: Parents or guardians must be working, seeking work, in school, participating in a vocational program, or engaged in an approved work activity (e.g., apprenticeships, WIOA training). Families experiencing homelessness or domestic violence receive waivers while stabilizing housing or safety.
3. Child eligibility: Children must be under age 13, or under 18 with documented special needs. Foster children qualify automatically with caseworker verification.
4. Citizenship status: Children must be U.S. citizens or qualified immigrants. Parents’ immigration status does not affect eligibility, but they must provide proof of the child’s status (birth certificate, passport, or immigration documents).
5. Provider participation: Families must select licensed or registered providers enrolled in the Child Care Assistance Program. Providers agree to background checks, health and safety inspections, and participation in the state’s quality system.

Application Roadmap

1. Gather documentation: Proof of identity, residency (utility bill, lease), gross income for the last month (pay stubs, employer statements), school or training schedules, and child citizenship documents.
2. Create CAFÉ account: Visit https://www.dcfs.la.gov/cafe to set up an online Customer Portal for public assistance benefits. CCAP uses the CAFÉ system even though LDOE administers the program.
3. Complete online application: Select “Apply for Child Care Assistance.” Provide household details, employment or school information, and preferred providers. Upload documents through the portal or mail to LDOE.
4. Choose providers: Use the Louisiana School Finder to compare quality ratings, curriculum, teacher credentials, and hours of operation. Contact providers to confirm availability; many hold CCAP slots for eligible families.
5. Submit Provider Information Packet: Your chosen provider completes the packet verifying licensing status, rates, and attendance policies. LDOE cannot finalize eligibility without it.
6. Attend eligibility interview (if requested): Some applicants receive phone interviews to clarify income or activity details. Respond promptly to avoid delays.
7. Receive approval notice: Within 30 days, LDOE mails or posts a notice detailing approved children, benefit start date, and family co-pay amount. Co-pays begin the first week of care.

Maximizing Your CCAP Benefit

• Align schedules: Ensure your reported work or school hours match provider attendance. CCAP reimburses based on full-time, part-time, or part-day care. Updating schedules prevents recoupment.
• Track attendance: Swipe daily using the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or provider attendance system. Missed swipes can reduce provider payments and risk slot loss.
• Use quality-rated providers: Higher-rated centers (Approaching Proficient or Proficient) receive bonus payments, translating to richer curriculum, lower staff-child ratios, and extra services like health screenings.
• Coordinate with Head Start or pre-K: When children turn four, combine CCAP with the state’s LA4 or NSECD pre-K programs for wraparound care. CCAP covers before/after school hours, while pre-K handles instructional time.
• Leverage family support services: Ready Start Networks offer parenting workshops, developmental screenings, and referrals to health and nutrition programs. Engage early to address any developmental concerns.

Special Populations

• Shift workers: Many petrochemical and hospitality employees have nontraditional schedules. Choose 24-hour providers or those offering weekend care. Document shift rotations so CCAP authorizes extended hours.
• Students in college or training: Provide class schedules and proof of enrollment each semester. CCAP covers hours spent in class, lab, study sessions, and travel time. Utilize campus child care centers partnered with LDOE for streamlined paperwork.
• Families experiencing homelessness: Work with Continuum of Care case managers to secure priority processing. CCAP waives co-pays temporarily and partners with shelters to deliver on-site early learning.
• Children with special needs: CCAP pays higher rates when individualized support is needed. Submit Individualized Education Program (IEP) or medical documentation. Providers can request Special Needs Rates for additional staffing.
• Kinship caregivers: Grandparents or relatives caring for children can apply even if they are not legal guardians. Provide custody affidavits or letters from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Maintaining Eligibility

• Report changes timely: Notify LDOE within 10 days if income increases, employment changes, or household members move in/out. CCAP may adjust co-pays but maintains eligibility for 12 months unless income exceeds 85% of state median.
• Renew annually: LDOE sends renewal packets 45 days before certification ends. Complete promptly with updated documents to prevent gaps.
• Keep provider in good standing: If your provider loses licensure, you must select a new site within 30 days to keep benefits. LDOE posts enforcement actions on its website.
• Stay current on co-pays: Pay your family share weekly or monthly as agreed. Falling behind can lead providers to disenroll your child, and LDOE will not cover unpaid co-pays.
• Use suspension policy wisely: You can suspend benefits up to 90 days (e.g., summer with relatives) without losing eligibility. Submit the suspension form in CAFÉ and reactivate before returning to care.

Budgeting with CCAP

1. Calculate co-pay: The approval letter states your weekly co-pay. Factor it into your budget alongside transportation, diapers, and meals. Many families set up automatic payments to providers.
2. Plan for gaps: CCAP covers up to 15 absent days per month. If your child misses more days, providers may bill you directly. Build a small cushion for sick days or travel.
3. Stack resources: Combine CCAP with the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and Louisiana School Readiness Tax Credits. Keep receipts to claim credits at tax time.
4. Monitor rate increases: When LDOE raises reimbursement rates, confirm with your provider whether co-pays shift. Higher state payments often reduce the family share.

Quality Improvement and Family Voice

Louisiana encourages families to participate in program governance. Join your parish Ready Start Network advisory council to advocate for extended hours, language access, or transportation. Provide feedback through the annual Early Childhood Family Survey; LDOE uses results to adjust policies, fund mental health consultants, and expand infant slots.

Families can also mentor peers. LDOE’s Family Voices Ambassadors program trains parents to navigate CAFÉ, understand quality ratings, and speak at school board meetings. Ambassadors receive stipends and leadership development, amplifying family perspectives in policy discussions.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Application stalled: Log into CAFÉ to check for missing documents. Upload clear scans or photos. Use the message center to ask caseworkers for status updates.
• Provider payment delays: Encourage providers to submit attendance timely and maintain banking information for direct deposit. If payments are late, families should continue paying co-pays; LDOE issues retroactive payments once resolved.
• EBT swipe problems: Contact the CiviTek help desk (1-888-997-9444) if your card malfunctions. Keep a paper log of attendance in case of outages.
• Income fluctuation: If you temporarily exceed income limits (e.g., seasonal overtime), CCAP continues until renewal. Document changes in case your income stabilizes above thresholds; you may transition to the Child Care Recovery Grant or employer subsidies.
• Appealing decisions: If denied, file an appeal within 30 days via CAFÉ. Provide additional documents or letters explaining extenuating circumstances. Hearings occur by phone with impartial reviewers.

Resource Directory

• CAFÉ Customer Service: 1-888-LAHELPU (1-888-524-3578) for account assistance.
• Ready Start Networks: Parish-level offices like Agenda for Children (Greater New Orleans) and Volunteers of America (North Louisiana) offer navigation help.
• Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agencies: Provide provider lists, classroom quality assessments, and parent training.
• Workforce Commission Career Centers: Assist with job placement, apprenticeships, and verification of work activity for CCAP eligibility.
• United Way Success By 6: Offers parenting classes, developmental screenings, and referral services.

Timeline Checklist

Final Thoughts

The Louisiana Child Care Assistance Program is more than a subsidy; it’s a stability engine for families and a quality lever for early childhood education. By understanding eligibility, keeping documentation organized, and collaborating closely with providers and Ready Start Networks, you can secure reliable, affordable care that supports your child’s development and your family’s economic goals. Treat CCAP as a partnership: stay communicative, advocate for needed services, and invest time in your child’s early learning journey. The payoff is a stronger financial foundation today and brighter academic and career outcomes for your child tomorrow.