FIND THE RIGHT START FOR YOUR FAMILY
Understanding Your Child Care Assistance Options
Help paying for child care starts with understanding your options. These programs have different requirements, but each can help eligible families access care or early learning.
Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC)
Help paying for care while you work, attend school, or complete job training.
PFCC helps eligible families with child care costs. Eligibility depends on your family’s income, household size, and other program requirements. Your family may be responsible for a copayment.
Where to start: Apply through Ohio Benefits or contact Montgomery County Job and Family Services.
Child Care Choice Voucher Program (CCVP)
Another option for families whose income is above the PFCC limit.
The Child Care Choice Voucher Program helps eligible families who earn too much to qualify for PFCC but still meet the voucher program’s requirements. Families may need to pay part of the cost of care.
Where to start: Apply through Ohio Benefits. If your income is too high for PFCC, your application can be reviewed for voucher eligibility.
Understanding Your Child Care Assistance Options
Support for preschool learning and kindergarten preparation.
OPP, also known as the Early Childhood Education Grant, helps eligible preschool-aged children access high-quality early learning at participating programs. It focuses on preschool education, so ask about the preschool schedule and any additional care your family needs.
Where to start: Contact a participating preschool about openings and enrollment. The program can help you with the application process, and your county Job and Family Services agency determines eligibility.
Is OPP the Same as Preschool Promise?
No. Ohio Preschool Program is a state program. Preschool Promise is a separate local program serving Montgomery County families. Preschool Promise offers kindergarten-readiness resources and may help eligible families with preschool tuition.
Visit Preschool Promise for current assistance availability and application information.
What is Publicly Funded Child Care?
Publicly Funded Child Care, often called PFCC, helps eligible families pay for child care. Montgomery County Job and Family Services handles applications and eligibility questions for local families. Approval depends on the program's requirements and your family's circumstances.
Common terms in everyday language
Publicly Funded Child Care, a program that helps eligible families with the cost of care
Job and Family Services, the county agency you contact about your application or case
Ohio Department of Children and Youth, the state department responsible for child care programs and resources
The Ohio Benefits website used to apply for benefits and manage information about your case
Your application is still being reviewed; it is not an approval
The notice identifying approved child care arrangements and dates
The portion of care costs your family is assigned to pay
The renewal process used to check whether your family remains eligible
Review the official information
Visit Montgomery County's child care assistance page for application options and contact details.
Gather the requested documents
The county may ask for income records, work or school information, identity documents, and information about your children. Follow the checklist provided for your application.
Apply through the official portal
Use Ohio Benefits to begin an application or manage your case. Send assistance documents through the official channels provided by JFS.
Where to begin
Preschool Promise
