LOUISIANA OPENS CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR CRITICAL HOSPITAL PERSONNEL DUE TO STAFF SHORTAGE IN COVID-19 FOURTH SURGE

Published 1:34 pm Monday, August 16, 2021

BATON ROUGE, La. –  In response to the critical staffing shortages in acute care hospitals in the fourth surge of COVID-19, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) in partnership with Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) today opened the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to support essential hospital personnel in Tier 1 or 2 hospital settings. These families can access subsidized care for children age 12 and under at Type III licensed childcare centers, or through registered and certified family childcare and in-home providers for 12 months by simply completing an application and providing a signed letter of employment and title.

Effective today, families of essential hospital personnel in Tier 1 or 2 hospital settings are eligible for CCAP and their applications will be expedited. Essential hospital personnel include the following titles:

As of now, applications will be accepted through October 31, 2021. Interested families must complete the CCAP Pandemic Protective Services Crisis Application and submit a signed letter on hospital letterhead verifying title and employment.

Upon approval, certification for child care services will be valid for 12 months.The Department will reassess applications as it continues to monitor the need.

If essential hospital personnel need care during hours that do not fit traditional child care center hours such as night time care, they may have someone become a CCAP certified in-home provider and come into their home to provide care.

Access the CCAP Pandemic Protective Services Crisis Application.

For more information, please contact LDECCAP@la.gov.