We Recommend Connecting With a Child Care Referral Specialist to Learn About Your Assistance Options!
We know it’s a tremendous challenge for families seeking affordable, high-quality child care, and we are here to help navigate the process.
Child Care Aware of WA’s Family Center is composed of a team of Child Care Referral Specialists who help families in Washington state locate child care programs that meet their individual needs and provide additional information about financial support for child care, early learning, and child development.
Contact Child Care Aware of WA’s Family Center today!
- Call toll free at 1-800-446-1114,
- Email familycenter@childcare.org, OR
- Use their Online Child Care Search
…Wondering what to expect
when calling the Family Center?
Statewide Child Care Subsidy
Working Connections
Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) is Washington state’s child care subsidy program that helps eligible families pay for child care. When a family qualifies for child care subsidy benefits and chooses an eligible provider, the state pays a portion of the cost of child care.
Please visit the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) for more information regarding eligibility requirements and application information.
Homeless Grace Period
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Homeless Grace Period may be an option for you and your family. It is a policy within Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) that provides an extended period for families experiencing homelessness to meet the program’s eligibility requirements, specifically those related to verification of work or approved work activities.
Head Start, ECEAP, and Early Head Start
Opportunity Council offers no-cost Early Head Start and Preschool services for qualifying families throughout Whatcom County. Our programs provide nurturing, high-quality early learning environments and build strong, supportive relationships with families. Through Head Start and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), we help children develop the skills, confidence, and curiosity they need to thrive in school and beyond. Learn more about the Head
Start & ECEAP programs HERE.
Short-term child care tuition assistance offered through Opportunity Council may be an option for you or someone you know.
At this time, we are able to offer programs that help eligible families in Snohomish and Whatcom counties pay for child care.
Child Care Choice (Snohomish County)
Child Care Choice (CCC), while primarily a resource navigation program, makes it possible for families who reside in Snohomish County with low incomes to access and/or maintain high-quality licensed child care while they are job seeking or participating in employment readiness/job training-related activities.
While funds are limited, participating eligible families may be considered for short-term child care tuition assistance.
*AS OF 9/25 THERE IS A TEMPORARY HOLD ON VOUCHERS. WAITLIST IN PLACE.
To learn more about our Child Care Choice program, including information regarding eligibility requirements, and the possibility for child care tuition assistance, click here or get in touch with a Child Care Choice Navigator at cc_navigator@oppco.org.
Click below to download, view and print our program flyer!
Emergency Child Care Vouchers (Whatcom County)
Our Emergency Child Care Voucher Program may be a short-term solution for you and your family as you navigate paying for child care in the midst of a difficult life circumstance such as:
- A medical emergency
- Loss of wages
- An unexpected hardship
- Risk of losing child care
If you are facing any of these difficult life circumstances, AND you are a Whatcom County resident, you may be eligible to receive short-term child care tuition assistance through our Emergency Child Care Voucher Program.
For application information, call 360-734-8396 ext. 1119 and ask to speak to someone about emergency child care vouchers. Upon approval, parents/caregivers will need to send a bill or invoice from a licensed child care provider. Approved payments will be made directly to the child care provider.
