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.

Childcare Assistance in Louisiana

14 verified resources.

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 Louisiana

Louisiana is the only US state based on civil law (Napoleonic Code) rather than common law. Family matters are heard in district courts, with most parishes having dedicated family sections. The Department of Children and Family Services Child Support Enforcement Services handles enforcement. New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette are the major cities. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services and Acadiana Legal Service Corporation provide civil legal aid.

14 Resources

1. Louisiana Child Care Assistance Program — Free

State program helping eligible working, job-searching, or in-school fathers and families pay for licensed child care. Administered by DCFS/LDOE through the CCAP program. Call 877-453-2721 or apply online at dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/child-care-assistance-program. Bring photo ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income, employment or school enrollment, and child birth certificates for application. Useful critical support for working Louisiana fathers.

877-453-2721 · 627 N 4th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. Louisiana Child Care Resource & Referral — Free

Statewide resource and referral service helping fathers and families find quality licensed child care providers in their parish. Specialists explain options, eligibility, and quality ratings. Call 877-453-2721 weekdays or visit louisianabelieves.com/early-childhood. Useful first step for fathers navigating child care options whether they qualify for subsidies or are paying privately; services free and available to all Louisiana families regardless of income.

877-453-2721 · 1201 N 3rd St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Head Start – Louisiana — Free

Federally funded free early childhood education program for income-eligible fathers and families with children ages 0-5, offered across Louisiana through community and school-based grantees. Provides education, health, nutrition, and family support. Call 866-763-6481 or visit benefits.gov/benefit/1935 to find local programs. Bring photo ID, child birth certificates, income documentation, and immunization records for enrollment. Useful comprehensive early education program.

866-763-6481 · Mon-Fri varies · Visit Website

4. Agenda for Children – New Orleans — Free

Early childhood advocacy organization and quality child care coordinator in the New Orleans area. Supports fathers in finding quality programs and advocates for early childhood policy improvements. Call 504-586-8509 or visit 2201 S Claiborne Avenue weekdays. Services generally free. Useful resource for New Orleans area fathers seeking quality-rated child care and parent engagement opportunities; also advocates for expanded access to subsidies and pre-K programs.

504-586-8509 · 2201 S Claiborne Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Baton Rouge Early Head Start — Free

Free federally funded early childhood education and family support for income-eligible families with children ages 0-3 in the Baton Rouge area. Provides education, health, nutrition, and father engagement opportunities. Call 225-923-9622 weekdays or visit headstart.gov for program details. Bring photo ID, child birth certificates, income documentation, and immunization records for enrollment. Useful comprehensive early education option for Baton Rouge area fathers.

225-923-9622 · Baton Rouge, LA 70801 · Mon-Fri varies · Visit Website

6. Caddo Parish Head Start — Free

Free federally funded early childhood education for income-eligible families with children ages 3-5 in the Shreveport area and Caddo Parish. Provides classroom learning, health screenings, and family engagement activities for fathers. Call 318-861-7170 or visit 1961 Midway Avenue weekdays. Bring photo ID, child birth certificates, income documentation, and immunization records for enrollment. Useful comprehensive pre-K option for eligible Caddo Parish fathers.

318-861-7170 · 1961 Midway Ave, Shreveport, LA 71108 · Mon-Fri varies · Visit Website

7. Ouachita Parish Head Start — Free

Free preschool and early childhood education programs for income-eligible families with children ages 3-5 in the Monroe area and Ouachita Parish. Provides classroom learning, health screenings, nutrition, and father engagement opportunities. Call 318-397-1481 weekdays or visit opsb.net for site details. Bring photo ID, child birth certificates, income documentation, and immunization records for enrollment. Useful comprehensive pre-K option for northeast Louisiana fathers.

318-397-1481 · Monroe, LA 71201 · Mon-Fri varies · Visit Website

8. Calcasieu Parish Head Start — Free

Free early childhood education programs for income-eligible families with children ages 3-5 in the Lake Charles area and Calcasieu Parish. Provides classroom learning, health screenings, nutrition, and father engagement opportunities. Call 337-491-1470 weekdays or visit cpsb.org for site details. Bring photo ID, child birth certificates, income documentation, and immunization records for enrollment. Useful comprehensive pre-K option for southwest Louisiana fathers.

337-491-1470 · Lake Charles, LA 70601 · Mon-Fri varies · Visit Website

9. YMCA of the Capital Area – Child Care — Paid

Before and after school care, full-day programs, and summer camps for children of working fathers in the Baton Rouge area. Financial assistance and scholarships available for qualifying families. Call 225-923-9622 or visit 7484 Corporate Boulevard weekdays. Bring photo ID, child birth certificates, immunization records, and income documentation for sliding fee determination. Useful option for fathers needing affordable flexible child care arrangements.

225-923-9622 · 7484 Corporate Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm · Visit Website

10. Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana — Free

After-school programs, summer programs, and youth development activities for school-age youth in the New Orleans area. Supports fathers with safe affordable after-school care and enrichment. Call 504-525-4585 or visit 3132 Gentilly Boulevard during after-school hours. Membership fees are nominal with scholarships available. Bring photo ID and child information for enrollment. Useful affordable option for New Orleans area fathers of school-age children.

504-525-4585 · 3132 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70122 · Mon-Fri after school

11. Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana — Free

After-school programs and youth development activities for school-age youth in the Shreveport area. Supports fathers with safe, affordable after-school care, mentorship, and enrichment. Call 318-221-8388 or visit 2545 Grover Place during after-school hours. Membership fees are nominal with scholarships available. Bring photo ID and child information for enrollment. Useful affordable option for Shreveport area fathers of school-age children.

318-221-8388 · 2545 Grover Pl, Shreveport, LA 71104 · Mon-Fri after school

12. Rapides Parish Head Start — Free

Free early childhood education programs for income-eligible families with children ages 3-5 in the Alexandria area and Rapides Parish. Provides classroom learning, health screenings, nutrition, and father engagement opportunities. Call 318-473-6770 weekdays or visit rpsb.us for site details. Bring photo ID, child birth certificates, income documentation, and immunization records for enrollment. Useful comprehensive pre-K option for central Louisiana fathers.

318-473-6770 · Alexandria, LA 71301 · Mon-Fri varies · Visit Website

13. Child Care Aware of America – Louisiana — Free

National resource helping Louisiana fathers find quality child care and understand subsidy options. Provides consumer education, provider searches, and information for military, federal, and other sponsored child care programs. Call 800-424-2246 or visit childcareaware.org. Useful complementary resource alongside the Louisiana Child Care Resource & Referral for fathers exploring licensed child care options and quality considerations across Louisiana parishes.

800-424-2246 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm · Visit Website

14. St. Tammany Parish Head Start — Free

Free preschool and early childhood education for income-eligible Northshore families with children ages 3-5 in St. Tammany Parish. Provides classroom learning, health screenings, nutrition, and father engagement opportunities. Call 985-898-3359 weekdays or visit stpsb.org for site details. Bring photo ID, child birth certificates, income documentation, and immunization records for enrollment. Useful comprehensive pre-K option for Northshore fathers.

985-898-3359 · Covington, LA 70433 · Mon-Fri varies · Visit Website

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.