$10M Ohio program aims to make child care affordable

OHIO — Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, and Ohio Department of Children and Youth Director Kara Wente announced the Child Care Cred Program on Monday, which is a $10 million program aimed at making child care more affordable for working families while also helping businesses.

“The new Child Care Cred Program is designed to help Ohio’s families get access to child care,” said DeWine. “And, when parents have quality child care, Ohio’s employers have productive employees who are not worried about their kids during work. It is a win for Ohio’s working families and for businesses.”

The program is part of the state’s 2026-27 biennial budget. It creates a cost-sharing model between parents, employers and the state of Ohio to help provide funds for quality child care, while businesses focus on the needs of their company. 

To quality for the program, families and their employers must both be Ohio-based. Employers and employees will need to work together to submit an application for funding, and once approved, families can enroll their child in a licensed program. They can also remain with their current provider. 

Applications are due May 1, 2026, and can be found on the Ohio Department of Children and Youth’s website.

“Child care isn’t just a family issue, it’s a workforce issue,” said Wente. “The Child Care Cred Program makes care more affordable for parents, while giving Ohio employers a smart, practical way to support their teams. It’s a win for families, businesses and communities across our state.”