Financial Assistance

Department of Human Services

For many families, the cost of safe, quality child care is a major strain on the budget. DHS' Child Development and Care Program may provide payment for child care services for qualifying families when the parent, legal guardian or substitute parent is unavailable to provide the child care because of employment, high school completion, DHS approved activity, or family preservation.

DHS Child Development and Care Handbook (updated April 2012) contains 1) general information about the Michigan DHS’s Office of Early Education and Care, including the Child Development and Care Program, 2) Parent information and 3) Provider information.

The Lansing Child Care Scholarship Program

A child care scholarship program is available to residents of Lansing with children infant through school age.

To be eligible you must meet the following criteria:

Reside in the Corporate Limits of the City of Lansing
Use licensed child care in the city limits of Lansing
Must not be eligible or receiving child care assistance through DHS (the State Department of Human Services), or any other program. If you are income eligible for DHS, you will be referred to apply with them.
All adult household members must be working or attending school a minimum of 20 hours per week. Meet the income eligibility guidelines stated below
Due to funding cuts, those applicants under the *Very Low income levels will be given priority
Scholarships run for 6 month periods: January 1 through June 30; and July 1 through December 31

Scholarship Awards
The range of scholarship maximum awards is listed on the following chart

Maximum Weekly Amounts

	Low-income	Very low-income
Full-time	$25.00	$40.00
Part time	$12.50	$20.00

For families to be considered for an award beginning on January 1, 2012, they must complete the application and return it by 5:00 p.m. on Monday December 12, 2011.
Eligible applications received after December 12, 2011 will be placed on the waiting list, and considered for scholarship awards depending upon availability of funds.
Applications are available to download and print, or call OYC at 517-887-4693 to request an application.

Scholarship income eligibility guidelines

Household Size	Very Low Income	Low Income
2	Less than $36,960	Less than $47,520
3	Less than $41,580	Less than $53.460
4	Less than $46,130	Less than $59,310
5	Less than $49,840	Less than $64,080
6	Less than $53,550	Less than $68,850

Lansing Scholarship Application: Click to Download application and other "Important Information"

rev 11/11

Lansing Community College

The LCC Women's Resource Center/Returning Adult Program offers child care awards to eligible students to help pay part of the costs of licensed child care while attending LCC. Scholarships are awarded three times a year.

Visit the Women's Resource Center/Returning Adult Program website or call at 483-1199 for information.

Free Preschool programs are available to eligible children through:

Capital Area Community Services Head Start

Great Start Readiness Programs (GSRP) - eligible 4 yrs old- contact your local school district for information

Other financial assistance & health care services

Women's Caring Program

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

MIChild and Healthy Kids

Vaccine Assistance Program

DHS video: Where to Find and Fill Out the DHS Application

DHS video: How To Use MIBridges Online

DHS video: What Do I Need to Verify When I Apply for Assistance?

DHS video: How To…See Benefits You and Your Family May Qualify For