The City of Seattle recently announced extended child care copay relief for families participating in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and scholarship-eligible families participating in Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) child care. 
The City of Seattle recently announced that child care copay relief for income-eligible families will be extended through March 2021. The City will cover 50 percent of the remaining copay costs for all families participating in the Department of Education and Early Learning’s (DEEL) Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and scholarship-eligible families participating in Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) child care.
The City’s original copay relief package covered 100 percent of child care copay costs for the final two months of 2020. This newly announced relief package will cover half of family copays for three months. Copays are the portion families owe after their normal subsidies or scholarships have been applied. New families who sign up for either the CCAP or SPR programs will be eligible for 50 percent copay relief through March, and both DEEL and SPR currently have space available in their high-quality, affordable child care programs.
“We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has put an immense strain on so many Seattle families, and the transition to virtual learning has made the need for high-quality, affordable child care even more acute,” said Mayor Durkan. “The necessary extension of the statewide COVID-19 restrictions could exacerbate the financial hardship already experienced by so many Seattle families. The City of Seattle is covering the majority of costs for our high-quality child care through March, and we’re urging Seattle families to sign up now for this affordable, accessible child care option.”
DEEL’s Child Care Assistance Program helps low- and moderate-income working families or families with a parent attending school or a qualified job-training program to pay for child care for children ages one month through 12 years. CCAP subsidies can be used at any one of the City’s 205 participating CCAP providers.
“We’re taking concrete action to support both families and our child care providers as we move into 2021,” said DEEL Director Dwane Chappelle. “It’s important that we work together as we continue to respond to and recover from COVID-19. This additional support the City is providing to families will help ensure working families continue to have access to sustainable, quality child care, an essential part of our city’s economic recovery.”
Families can visit seattle.gov/ccap or call 206-386-1050 for more information or confirm their eligibility for the Child Care Assistance Program. For information on Seattle Parks and Recreation child care programs, visit the SPR website.
