Childcare Certificate Program: Maury County

The Child Care Certificate Program is a state-funded program that helps eligible families afford child care. It serves Families First participants, parents transitioning off Families First, working parents, students enrolled in post-secondary education, teen parents, and children in foster care. Eligibility is determined by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) or the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) for children in foster care.

Eligibility Requirements

Families First participants are eligible to receive child care to assist in completing their approved activity on their Personal Responsibility Plan (PRP). Families must be determined eligible by Tennessee Department of Human Services  (TDHS) Family Assistance staff before they can participate in the program

Transitional Child Care or TCC (also referred to as Transitional Families First, or TFF) is available for qualifying families for 18 months following the closure of Families First cash assistance.  Thirty hours of paid work per week, including self-employment and/or education and training hours must be met to receive TCC. Eligibility is redetermined every twelve (12) months.

The At-Risk Child Care program serves guardians in Families First child-only cases that are working and/or in school. Child-only guardians are typically grandparents, aunts, or uncles that have care and control of a relative child. Thirty hours of paid work including self-employment and/or education and training hours must be met to receive ARCO.

Smart Steps Child Care Payment Assistance is available to income eligible families who are working or enrolled in post-secondary education programs.  Smart Steps was established to provide child care financial assistance to eligible families with children ages six (6) weeks until kindergarten. The family is not required to receive other benefits through TDHS to qualify. For more information about the Smart Steps Child Care Payment Assistance view the Smart Steps Flyer.

The Teen Parent Child Care Program serves teen parents who are enrolled in and attending high school and who meet income guidelines. Assistance may be available for eligible teens living at home with their parent(s) or those who are emancipated and living independently from their parent(s). Written or verbal communication from school staff that the school’s requirements are met is adequate verification for school enrollment.

The SNAP Employment and Training Child Care Program serves parents enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training Program (SNAP E&T). Assistance may be available to parents who enroll and participate in the Employment Training Program through the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Families must be determined eligible by the Department of Workforce and Development SNAP E&T staff.

TDHS provides the child care certificate and provider payment processes as a service for the Department of Children’s Services (DCS). The DCS state office provides the funding amounts and the fund utilization management for these funding sources. County and regional DCS program staff provides the child care referrals and provide the local management of regional DCS funds.

How to Apply

Apply online through the One DHS Customer Portal.