Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program

The Maryland Child Care Scholarship formerly known as Child Care Subsidy provides financial assistance with childcare cost to eligible working families in Maryland. To be eligible for CCS program, you must be:

  • A Maryland resident who is working/employed, in an approved training program or attending school. For families where both parents live within the same household, both parents must meet all eligibility requirements. 
  • A recipient of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or within CCS income guidelines
  • Willing to have your child immunized to Maryland state standards or provide documentation supporting exemption from immunization.

Learn more about eligibility requirements

How to Apply

To apply for The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) the applicant can apply online or via a PDF application.

Paper applications must be submitted to:

CCS Central 2
PO Box 346031
Bethesda, MD 20827
Fax: 202-478-2102
Email: CCSCentral2@maryland.gov

Assistance in Applying

If applicants need further help, they can watch the “How to complete the CCS Application” video (YouTube)

Contact a Family Resource Specialist at 877-261-0060 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Child Care Scholarship Open Office Hours

  • Date: November 14, 2023
  • Time: 12 - 1 p.m.

Who should come? Well, families and providers who have questions about scholarships or open applications.The folks who run the Child Care Scholarship program will be there to help you out. They can answer your questions and assist with applications and payments. They'll also tell you what to do if you have any problems with your scholarship account.

No need to sign up – just join the open session on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 12 p.m.

And if you know anyone who might want to be a part of this, you can tell them too. We'd love to have them join us!

Checking Application Status

Locating a Provider

LOCATE

LOCATE Child Care is a free, referral service with detailed information on all regulated childcare in Maryland, including programs participating in Maryland EXCELS. Their trained referral specialists will help identify care based on your personal preferences including program type, location, and cost.

Maryland Excels

For the link above, you search for a Childcare provider or facility via program name, county, zip code, distance radius, miles from the applicant’s location. Once you submit your response, the system will generate a list of childcare facilities and providers. You can also search for quality ratings, achievements, and accreditations using this link.

Head Start

The applicant should use the appropriate filters to find a program close to their location.

Prekindergarten

Prekindergarten is a program for 4-year-old children who are from families that are economically disadvantaged or homeless. The program helps children develop and maintain the basic skills necessary to be successful in school.

To be eligible your child must be at least 4 years-old by September 1 of the school year for which they will be enrolled and meet any of the following criteria:

  • Low-income or receive public assistance
  • Homelessness 

Contact your neighborhood school to ask questions or enroll your child. If eligible, your local Department of Social Services will issue you a scholarship for additional childcare choices.

Prince George’s Co. Public Schools
Early Learning Programs
Owens Road Administrative Building
1616 Owens Road
Oxon Hill, MD  20745
240-724-1924
Prince George's County Public Schools Early Childhood Website

Children With Developmental Disabilities

Maryland LISS

The Developmental Disabilities Administration's Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) Program serves children living at home with their family and adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities living in their own home in the community who are not receiving any support services from the DDA.

LISS Program Providers

Maryland Community Connection
Attn: LISS Unit
4401 Nicole Drive, Lanham, Maryland 20706
Phone: 301-583-8880/Toll free: 877-622-6688
Maryland Community Connection LISS Website
Counties served: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George's and St. Mary's, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester

Penn-Mar Human Services
Attn: LISS Unit
310 Old Freeland Road, Freeland, Maryland 21053
Phone: Toll free: 877-282-8202
TTY: 711
Fax: 410-357-4767
Penn-Mar Human Services LISS Website 
Counties served: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard and Washington
Learn more about Penn-Mar Human Services LISS

Maryland's Autism Waiver

The Autism Waiver (AW) is designed to provide community-based, long-term, person-centered therapeutic services and support to eligible children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to enable home and community living as an alternative to institutional care. 

The AW Registry is a list of individuals interested in AW services. Families must contact the AW Registry at 866-417-3480 to be eligible to apply to the AW when a vacancy occurs. 

For more information on the AW, call:

  • Autism Waiver Registry 866-417-3480
  • Maryland State Department of Education 401-767-1446
  • Maryland Department of Health 401-767-5220

Important Links:

Preschool Special Education Services

Maryland’s system of Preschool Special Education Services provides specialized instruction and related services, such as speech-language therapy, physical and occupational therapy, to young children, ages three through five, determined eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and in accordance with State regulations for special education.

Eligibility

Children ages 3 through 5 who have a disability as defined by one of the categories listed below are eligible for preschool special education services provided through the local education agency.

For more information about Maryland Preschool Services, contact the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services, Preschool Services Section at 800-535-0182.

Contact

Maryland State Department of Education

Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone 410-767-0249
Fax 410-333-8165

Prince George’s County Public Schools

Diane Bonanni
Coordinating Supervisor, Early Childhood
2300 Belleview Avenue
Cheverly, MD 20785
Phone 301-925-1985
dbonanni@pgcps.org

Lydia Jones-Nunn 
Instructional Supervisor
Phone 301-925-1985
lydia.nunn@pgcps.org