Missouri Child Care Works implements innovative, community-based programming designed to make quality child care more accessible and affordable for working families across the state. Through collaborative funding models, Missouri Child Care Works creates a sustainable pathway to quality child care by facilitating the sharing of child care costs among multiple stakeholders.
At the heart of the program are community organizations that coordinate resources from the public sector, philanthropy, families, and employers. Partners contribute toward the cost of child care, significantly reducing the financial burden on families while ensuring stable funding for child care providers.
In areas designated as “child care deserts” where care options are severely limited, additional state support may be provided to address these critical gaps.
By sharing the cost of child care with the public sector philanthropy, and employers child care is more affordable for families.
Quality child care will become more accessible for working families.
Families can choose from care options at participating eligible providers.
Enjoy work-life balance and family-friendly benefits provided by your employer and community.
Employee eligibility will be determined based on the employee’s family size and household income. Generally, employees must have a household income between 150-555% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Families must be employed by a participating employer or be eligible through a sponsoring community agency.
Employees must not be eligible and have access to care and education under any other state child care or early education assistance program. Once an employee is deemed eligible, they are eligible for the remainder of the program year, which starts on July 1 and ends on June 30 of the following year, unless the employer or community has other parameters or terminates their participation in the program.
If you are unsure if your family is eligible, please apply, and the Missouri Child Care Works team will assist you.
