Paying for Child Care

Wisconsin Shares - Child Care Subsidy Program

Wisconsin's Child Care Subsidy program, sometimes called "W-2 Child Care", helps families pay for child care. If the parent is eligible, child care can be subsidized for children under the age of 13 (up to 19 for a child with special needs).

A parent who is eligible for child care subsidy must participate in one of the following activities:

• Unsubsidized work
• Attend High School (if a teen parent under 20 years if age)
• Participate in employment skills training and continue to be in unsubsidized employment
• Participate in Food Stamp Employment and Training work search or work experince programs
• Are a W-2 appliant participating in up-front job search, training, or orientation activities.

If a parent is approved for child care financial assistance, the child must be enrolled in a regulated setting, such as a licensed child care center, a licensed family child care home, or a certified family child care home.

To apply or to find out more about child care financial help, call 1-888-713-KIDS (5437), or your local Wisconsin Job Center, W-2 Agency, or Tribal Agency. You can also visit the Department of Children and Families' website: www.dcf.wisconsin.gov/childcare/wishares.

Applicants must call ahead for an appointment and a list of what is needed to establish eligibility. The parents' share of the cost is determined on a sliding scale depending on the family income, family size, and number of children in subsidized care, and lastly the type of child care service choosen.

For more specific, up-to-date information, and eligibility determination, please call your local WI Job Center.

• In Sheboygan County, call the Sheboygan County Department of Health and Human Services, Economic Support Division at 920-208-5800.
• In Manitowoc County, call Human Services at 920-683-2888.
• In Fond du Lac County, call Human Services at 920-929-3187.