Child Care Help Is on the Way for Louisiana Families

Help is on the way for parents struggling to provide child care for youngsters from Haughton to Greenwood and all parts of our state.

The state is planning to make quality child care more affordable for about 15,000 low-income families. The changes take effect this month.

Education Superintendent John White says the changes will cut weekly out-of-pocket expenses for most low-income families by 60 percent. The plan will also ease the eligibility requirements. Where will the state get the money to pay for the program? A federal grant will be used to foot the bill for the Child Care Assistance Program.

The Advocate reports the money will help pay for the cost of child care for youngsters up to age 4 while parents are at work, school or in job training.