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Program Details State of Hawaii Child Care Subsidy and
Preschool Open Doors Programs The Child Care Subsidy
Click here to navigate to the Child Care Subsidy Program Details
Click here to navigate to the Child Care Subsidy FAQ

The Child Care Subsidy program (formerly known as Child Care Connection Hawaii or CCCH) helps low-income families to sustain their employment, educational efforts and job training by paying a subsidy for their children who are in the care of DHS-approved child care providers. Unless child care is required for protective purposes, families must meet income and activity requirements to qualify for this subsidy program.

The Preschool Open Doors (POD)
Click here to navigate to the Preschool Open Doors Program Details
Click here to navigate to the Preschool Open Doors FAQ

The Preschool Open Doors (POD) program is a separate subsidy program with funds that provides services state-wide to families sending their children to a licensed preschool during the two (2) school years prior to kindergarten entry. The goal of POD is to promote school readiness for children, and the program focuses on meeting the needs of the child. Parents are not required to have an eligible activity, unlike the Child Care Subsidy program, but they must meet income and other eligibility requirements. For POD, there is an initial application period established and published each year with the possibility of additional application periods dependent on the availability of funding.

What are Child Care Subsidies?

The Child Care Subsidy and the Preschool Open Doors (POD) programs use a sliding fee scale for families meeting the income eligibility requirements. The subsidy amount varies based on the family’s gross monthly income, family size, type and cost of care. The subsidy may not cover the full cost of care, thus families may be required to pay for some of the child care costs. For families with children under the age of 13 years, the Child Care Subsidy program provides subsidies to help pay for a variety of legal child care settings including: care provided in the child’s home, care by relatives or friends in their home, before and after school programs, and preschools. All child care providers, even if they are not licensed by DHS, need to have child abuse/neglect, adult perpetrator, and criminal history background checks completed in order to receive a DHS child care subsidy payment. This is to help ensure that the child is in a safe setting. Child Care Subsidy program also provides families with: guidance in selecting a child care provider; information about quality child care programs; and referrals to community resources for help with other concerns.

What are the Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Subsidy?

How to Apply for Child Care Subsidy

Applications for child care services are accepted statewide, year-round, except for the Preschool Open Doors (POD) program which has a limited Open Enrollment period during the spring.

The Application Process:

OR download the Application for Child Care Services (DHS 911) and drop off, email, or mail the application and supporting documents to:

Mail: Child Care Subsidy Unit
94-275 Mokuola Street, Room 105
Waipahu, Hawaii 96797
Phone: (855) 643-1643
Email: HawaiiCCSU@dhs.hawaii.gov

Visit Patch Hawaii for more information.

  1. Before submitting your application online, you will need to upload required supporting eligibility documents. Please click on the link below that matches closest to your family situation to receive more information on which supporting document(s) are required to upload with your online application.
  2. Visit ChildCareSubsidyApplication.dhs.hawaii.gov to apply online and upload required supporting eligibility documentation.
  3. Please write down your tracking number for your online application as soon as you complete your applicant details. You will need this tracking number to return to your online application if you were unable to complete it in one session or if your session times out.
  4. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any edits or upload any documents. There will be a message to inform you that your application has been submitted.
  5. You will receive a DHS letter in the mail to notify you on your family’s eligibility for child care subsidy payments.

Applying by paper:

(Child Care Subsidy)

  1. Download (here ) and print the Application for Child Care Services – DHS Form 911.
  2. Complete all applicable fields and submit your application along with all required supporting eligibility documents and drop off, email or mail to:
    Mail: Child Care Subsidy Unit
    94-275 Mokuola Street, Room 105
    Waipahu, Hawaii 96797
    Phone: (855) 643-1643
    Email:HawaiiCCSU@dhs.hawaii.gov
  3. You will receive a letter in the mail to notify you on your family’s eligibility for child care subsidy payments.

For Families that are determined eligible for Child Care Subsidy Payments:

  1. If your family receives a letter informing you that you meet the basic child care subsidy eligibility requirements, contact: People Attentive to Children (PATCH), DHS Child Care Resource and Referral contractor for resources in selecting a child care provider. For a list of PATCH locations statewide, click on the following website:
    https://www.patchhawaii.org/contact/
    If you do not know what child care provider you would like to use, the Child Care Resource & Referral staff may help you find a provider.
  2. After selecting a provider, the Child Care Resource & Referral office will send you provider forms.
  3. Parents may choose between: licensed or license-exempt center based care, a licensed or licensed-exempt family child care home, or care by relatives (not including the child’s siblings, caretakers, or parents residing in the home). DHS will only approve payments for legal child care arrangements when the selected child care provider does not have a child abuse or adult perpetrator background or a criminal history that indicates the provider, adult household members, or staff, might pose a risk of harm to children.
  4. Requirements for obtaining the background and criminal history clearances, health and safety guidelines and monitoring visits for licensed-exempt family child care homes will be explained by the Child Care Resource & Referral Staff. The staff will also contact your licensed-exempt family child care home provider to explain all the requirements and assist them with the health and safety checklist prior to a licensing worker making a home visit to where child care takes place.
  5. Once your child care provider forms and requirements are met, the Child Care Subsidy Worker will determine the amount of subsidy and will send you notification by mail

WHAT IS PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS?

The Preschool Open Doors (POD) program provides subsidies for eligible families with children for up to two school years prior to kindergarten entry. POD subsidies may be used to assist with payments to DHS licensed preschools or exempt center-based providers that are listed with DHS. The program has an initial application period established and published each year.

POD subsidies may be paid directly to families via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or direct deposit to the family’s bank account, or a direct payment to a licensed child care provider.

Each family has different child care needs and preferences. The parent/guardian chooses the child care provider most appropriate for their child. Contact People Attentive To Children (PATCH) for resources in choosing a child care provider.

What are the Eligibility Requirements for Preschool Open Doors?

Preschool Open Doors (POD) Eligibility Requirements

There is an initial application period during spring of each year. Assistance is provided according to priority criteria based on the child’s age, referral documentation, and the family’s income: