Head Start - Gary/Lake County

About Childcare Assistance for Fathers

Childcare assistance for US fathers includes the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) subsidy, Head Start and Early Head Start, state pre-K programs, and sliding-scale nonprofit childcare. CCDF subsidies are administered by each state's lead agency (usually the Department of Human Services or a dedicated office) and help families pay for childcare while parents work, attend school, or participate in training. Eligibility is typically up to 85% of state median income. Head Start serves children 3–5 from families below the Federal Poverty Level; Early Head Start covers birth to 3. State pre-K is free or low-cost in most states and offered through public schools and partner providers. Many community action agencies run sliding-scale childcare for working parents. For single dads, CCDF subsidies and Head Start are the two most consistent free options. This directory includes each state's CCDF office, local Head Start programs, and resource and referral agencies.

Childcare Assistance in Indiana

Indiana superior and circuit courts hear family matters in all 92 counties, with some counties operating dedicated domestic relations divisions. The Child Support Bureau operates under DCS. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and South Bend are the largest metros. Indiana Legal Services is the primary LSC-funded civil legal aid program.

More Childcare Assistance in Indiana

• Indiana Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) — State-funded childcare voucher program for low-income working parents, parents in school, or parents in approved activities. Vouchers help p
• Indiana Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) — Statewide network helping Indiana parents find quality, licensed childcare providers and understand financial assistance options, including
• Head Start - Fort Wayne — Free early childhood education for income-eligible Fort Wayne families with children ages 0-5, including comprehensive education, health scr
• YMCA of Greater Indianapolis - Childcare — Provides before/after school care, preschool, and summer day camp programs at multiple Indianapolis-area locations, with financial assistanc
• Paths to QUALITY (Indiana Quality Rating) — Indiana's voluntary quality rating and improvement system for childcare providers, ranging from Level 1 (meeting health and safety) to Level
• Indiana Benefits Portal - Child Care — Apply for Indiana's CCDF childcare voucher program online at benefits.in.gov. Check eligibility, upload documents, and manage benefits throu

Childcare Assistance — Common Questions

What is a childcare subsidy?

A state-administered program (funded by federal CCDF) that pays a portion of childcare costs for working, training, or school-attending low-income parents. Apply through your state's lead agency. Eligibility typically up to 85% of state median income. Benefits go directly to the provider.

What's the difference between Head Start and pre-K?

Head Start is a federal program for children 3–5 from low-income families (below the Federal Poverty Level) with comprehensive services (health, nutrition, parent involvement). State pre-K is state-funded preschool, usually through public schools, with broader eligibility.

Can fathers apply for childcare assistance alone?

Yes. Childcare assistance is gender-neutral. Single fathers with custody qualify on the same terms as any other parent. If you share custody, you can still apply — you'll need the subsidy for the time the child is with you.

Where do I find quality care I can trust?

Every state has a Child Care Resource & Referral agency (CCR&R) that maintains a free database of licensed providers, quality ratings, and availability. Call your local CCR&R (find at childcareaware.org) for personalized referrals.