Paying for Child Care

The cost of child care varies depending on the type of care chosen, the number of hours care is needed and the facility selected. To help families estimate what they can expect to pay for child care, ECCLC regularly creates a report of the Average Cost of Care in Larimer County. This report is based on a survey of child care providers' rates in Larimer County that is done twice a year.

The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) is administered through the Larimer County Department of Human Services for Larimer County residents. The program provides child care services to families who meet the income guidelines and who are in an eligible activity. Eligible activities are:

• Working, or
• Job Search (limited time), or
• Teen parent(s) under the age of 20 attending junior high, high school, or a GED program.

CCCAP also provides assistance to families enrolled in the Colorado Works Program who need child care services to support their efforts towards self-sufficiency.

To receive an application or if you have questions, please call (970) 498-6300, download an application, or pick up an application at the following Human Services office:

• Fort Collins office- 1501 Blue Spruce Drive
• Loveland Office- 205 East 6th Street
• Estes Park Office- 1601 Brodie Drive

For more information, visit the Larimer County CCCAP website.

A small number of child care facilities in Larimer County set parent’s fees based on family income. These programs are typically nonprofit organizations and the availability of sliding scale care is dependent on outside funding from foundations or other organizations. If you are struggling to pay for child care but are not eligible for child care assistance, the referral program can provide information on the child care programs that offer sliding scale.

EVICS

Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success (EVICS) offers child care tuition scholarships for residents of the Estes Valley who are not eligible for CCCAP. For more information call the EVICS office at 970-586-3055.

Women Give

WomenGive, a leadership initiative of United Way of Larimer County in partnership with the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, offers child care tuition scholarships to single parents continuing their education. To be eligible for a scholarship, an individual must

• Be a single parent living alone with their child(ren)
• Be nominated by a nonprofit agency with whom they are a client, by their training/educational facility or their childcare provider
• Be a Larimer County resident
• Be a United States citizen or be a lawfully admitted alien
• Not be in default on a federal student loan
• Meet all Colorado Commission on Higher Education college admission requirements
• Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for consideration for future scholarships
• Have their child(ren) enrolled in a licensed child care facility (or be willing to enroll their child)

First consideration will be given to those taking a minimum of nine(9) credit hours. For more information, contact:

Lisa Poppaw
United Way of Larimer County
424 Pine Street, Suite 102
Fort Collins, CO 80524
970-407-7089