Parent and Family Resources

Information on Child Care and Pre-K Programs

My Child Care DC

My Child Care DC is an online tool from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) that makes searching for child care options in DC easy and provides families with the information they need when selecting a child care provider. Families can use My Child Care DC to explore, compare and connect with child care options all in one place. It’s free to use and available in multiple languages. Click here to search My Child Care DC.

Capital Quality

Capital Quality is DC’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) administered by OSSE. It supports families to review and compare the quality of child care and early childhood education programs in DC to make informed decisions about where to enroll in child care. Click here for more information on Capital Quality.

DC Child Care Connections

DC Child Care Connections is DC’s child care resource and referral (CCR&R) system funded by OSSE. DC Child Care Connections helps families find and connect with child care programs and financial resources and operates a lending library where families can access books and digital resources. All DC Child Care Connections services are provided to families at no cost. DC Child Care Connections can be reached via email at [email protected] or phone at (202) 829-2500. Click here for more information on DC Child Care Connections.

My School DC

DC provides free pre-K education for 3- and 4-year-old children through a mixed-delivery system. Free pre-K is provided by DC Public Schools (DCPS), public charter schools and community-based organizations (CBOs). To be eligible for free pre-K, a child must be 3 years old by Sept. 30 to apply for pre-K 3 and 4 years old by Sept. 30 to apply for pre-K 4. Families can use My School DC, the OSSE-operated common application and common lottery for public schools in DC, to apply for most pre-K 3 and pre-K 4 programs. There is information on My School DC about how to apply to a free pre-K program offered by a CBO that participates in the Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Program (PKEEP). Click here for more information on applying to pre-K and to search for DCPS and public charter schools that offer pre-K programs.

Quality Improvement Network

The Quality Improvement Network (QIN) connects eligible families to high-quality child care and provides coaching and comprehensive services, including career, nutrition, health and early intervention supports, to help put eligible families and their children on a path for success. The QIN is funded by OSSE using local and federal Head Start funds and operates through a partnership between OSSE, United Planning Organization (UPO) and 27 child development facilities. Click here for more information on the QIN.

Information on Financial Assistance for Child Care

DC Child Care Subsidy Program

The Child Care Subsidy Program helps DC families pay for the cost of child care. The program, which is administered by OSSE in partnership with child care facilities and the DC Department of Human Services (DHS), supports families with low and moderate incomes, as well as families of children in need of care due to other special circumstances, to access high-quality education and care in DC. Families who apply for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program and meet the eligibility criteria receive support paying for child care at a licensed child development facility that accepts subsidies. Click here for more information on the Child Care Subsidy Program.

Information on Early Intervention and Behavioral Health Supports

Strong Start

OSSE’s Strong Start program provides free early intervention services and supports to eligible children birth to age 3 and their families who are DC residents. Eligibility is based on an evaluation of the child’s developmental needs conducted by an early intervention specialist. Families who are found eligible receive early intervention services and supports at no cost, regardless of their income, insurance, legal or employment status. Strong Start also offers supports including playgroups hosted at local libraries and virtual family support groups that any family can participate in at no cost. Click here for more information on Strong Start.

Early Stages

The District of Columbia Public Schools’ (DCPS’) Early Stages program provides free intervention services to eligible children from 2 years 8 months to 5 years 10 months who go to a DC public school, are home-schooled or have not yet entered the school system. Families with concerns about development for a child ages 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 10 months, and who are not enrolled in a charter school, should contact DCPS for an evaluation. Click here for more information on Early Stages.

Access to Quality Child Care for Children with Disabilities

OSSE’s Access to Quality Child Care for Children with Disabilities grant program supports families of infants and toddlers with disabilities to access early learning programming and child care that meets their needs. The grant provides support to four child development facilities in DC to enhance their capacity to serve infants and toddlers with disabilities. Click here for more information on the facilities that receive support from the Access to Quality Child Care for Children with Disabilities grant.

Help Me Grow

DC Health’s Help Me Grow program partners with various organizations throughout DC to promote the health and wellness of prenatal parents and families with children through age 5. Help Me Grow can support families to connect to resources related to child behavior, development and family support. Click here for more information about Help Me Grow.

Healthy Futures

The Healthy Futures program, offered through the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), supports the social emotional development of children birth to age 5 and provides early childhood mental health consultation at participating child development facilities. Click here for more information on Healthy Futures.

Information on Financial Assistance for Housing, Nutrition and Medical Care

Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) supports eligible families to choose their own safe, suitable and affordable housing that best meets their needs. Eligible participants receive a voucher to use to pay rent in the private market, offering greater flexibility and choice when searching for housing. Click here for more information on the HCVP and how to apply.

Medical Assistance

DC offers medical coverage to income-eligible residents through Medicaid, the DC Healthcare Alliance, and DC Healthy Families programs. These programs help families pay for medical expenses such as doctor visits, vision and dental care, prescription drugs, hospital stays and transportation for appointments. Click here for more information on these medical assistance programs and how to apply.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) supports families with low incomes to purchase food. SNAP benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used at most grocery and convenience stores and some farmer’s markets. Click here for more information on SNAP and how to apply.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides financial assistance to families with children when available financial resources do not meet the needs of the family. TANF offers access to a variety of supportive services that can be bundled together to meet individual needs. Click here for more information on TANF and how to apply.

Women, Infants and Children Program

The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program provides healthy foods, immunization assessment and screening, health care referrals and nutrition and breastfeeding resources to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to age 5. WIC also provides eligible participants fresh fruits and vegetables from June through November through the DC WIC Farmers’ Market Program. Click here for more information on WIC and how to apply.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps income-eligible DC households to pay their energy bills. Click here for more information on LIHEAP and how to apply.