Joining Voices

Finding quality child care or preschool programs in the community may be challenging for all families, but especially for those who have children with special needs. Local Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies can support a family's search for child care for their child(ren) with special needs. There are also subsidies that may be available to help pay for child care.

Background- The Office of Child Care Services

The Office of Child Care Services (OCCS) oversees the licensing of child care programs in Massachusetts. Under OCCS Regulations and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), child care providers are required to take applications from all families and make "reasonable accommodations" to include children with disabilities. This has resulted in more child care providers developing the capacity to serve children with special needs or disabilities. Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (CCR&Rs), funded by OCCS are available to assist parents in finding child care. They also serve child care providers, employers and community groups. Located in 15 regions throughout the state, CCR&Rs collect data about OCCS-licensed child care programs, provide information and referrals to programs and provide counseling to parents on how to identify quality child care programs. In addition, the CCR&Rs offer training, consultation and technical assistance to child care providers. These services are provided free of charge to families. To find the CCR&R in your region, call 1-800-345-0131 or visit the OCCS website at www.qualitychildcare.org.

Finding Child Care Programs for Children with Special Needs

CCR&Rs offer a free "customized" child care referral service to parents of children with disabilities. The four-step process includes:

1. The family calls the CCR&R in the region where the family lives or is seeking child care and talks with a child care specialist about the child's needs.
2. With the parent's permission, the child care specialist calls and screens potential providers in their database to find one whose training and experience best match the child's needs. The specialist will also confirm that space is available and that, if necessary, accommodations can be made.
3. The child care specialist provides the family with referrals to providers with confirmed openings.
4. The family decides which providers they would like to meet and makes appointments to visit.

Ultimately, the family makes the decision about who can best care for their child. The child care specialist is available to provide information and support to families and technical assistance on issues of inclusion for providers.

Funding Child Care: Subsidies May Be Available

The CCR&Rs also provide information about financial assistance and child care subsidies that may be available to families who have children with special needs. Eligibility is based on income and family need, although there may be a waiting list to receive financial assistance. The OCCS website contains an "Eligibility Wizard" tool that can help families determine if they qualify for assistance, although the family must still speak with the CCR&R agency or child care provider to for a final eligibility determination.

Additional Resources:

• Office of Child Care Services (OCCS): Call (617) 988-6600 or visit www.qualitychildcare.org.
• Community Partnerships for Children (CPCs), funded by the Massachusetts Department of Education, Early Learning Services, is a network comprised of child care providers and preschool programs located in 335 communities throughout Massachusetts. Child care scholarships may be available, based on income eligibility. Many CPC's also provide continuing education opportunities for child care providers and parents. To learn about the CPC in your area, contact Early Learning Services at the Department of Education at 1-781-338-6353 or visit www.doe.mass.edu.
• Talk to your EI Service Provider about child care programs in your area. Providers often make visits to local child care programs to provide services to children and may be able to share information.
• Disability Specific Organizations, such as local Arcs may also have information about providers who have experience in working with children with specific special needs.
• ChildCareAware- the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral: Call toll-free 1-800-424-2246 or visit www.ChildCareAware.org.