Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, together with Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Director Kara Wente, has announced the official launch of the Child Care Cred Program, a $10 million initiative designed to make child care more affordable for working families while helping Ohio businesses strengthen and retain their workforce. The program was developed through Ohio’s SFY26–SFY27 biennial budget and is now available to qualifying families and employers across the state.
“The new Child Care Cred Program is designed to help Ohio’s families get access to childcare,” said Governor DeWine. “And, when parents have quality childcare, Ohio’s employers have productive employees who are not worried about their kids during work. It is a win for Ohio’s working families and for businesses.”
A Strategic Approach to Workforce Stability
With child care costs continuing to rise, the lack of affordable access has become one of the state’s most pressing workforce challenges. The Child Care Cred Program directly addresses this by establishing a cost-sharing model between parents, employers, and the State of Ohio, offering financial support for families while promoting employee retention among Ohio businesses.
“Child care isn’t just a family issue, it’s a workforce issue,” said DCY Director Kara Wente. “The Child Care Cred Program makes care more affordable for parents, while giving Ohio employers a smart, practical way to support their teams. It’s a win for families, businesses, and communities across our state.”
State leaders emphasized that this program is a critical piece of a larger strategy aimed at economic development and workforce reliability. Representative Mark Johnson (R-Chillicothe) expressed strong support for the initiative, stating, “I am proud to be one of the many partners who collaborated on advancing this important initiative through House Bill 2 and the Budget. The rising cost of childcare has placed a heavy burden on Ohio families, and while much work remains, this is an opportunity to build stronger partnerships between families and businesses.”
How the Program Works
To qualify, families must reside in Ohio, and employers must be based in the state. Both employers and their employees are required to submit a joint application through the Department of Children and Youth. If approved, families may enroll their child in a licensed child care program or remain with their current provider, receiving direct financial assistance to cover costs.
Applications must be submitted by May 1, 2026, with funding available through June 30, 2026. The initiative is expected to have a significant impact on both family life and business operations throughout the state.
Bipartisan Support for Long-Term Impact
Several state lawmakers celebrated the program as a proactive step toward solving long-standing child care issues. Senator Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) praised the initiative, saying, “Having affordable and accessible childcare not only supports working parents and their children, but allows businesses to retain dedicated workers. The Child Care Cred Program represents a significant step in solving Ohio’s childcare crisis. I’m proud to see this program go into effect and I look forward to seeing the benefits this will bring to Ohio’s working families.”
Senator Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) also emphasized the broader implications of the initiative: “Ensuring a stable workforce for Ohio’s growing economy encourages us to support our working families. By creating a cost-sharing model… businesses can focus on the needs of their company while maintaining a stable workforce.”
Part of a Broader Child Care Strategy
The Child Care Cred Program is part of Governor DeWine’s comprehensive plan to expand access to quality early childhood services. As outlined in the biennial budget, additional measures include expanding voucher eligibility, increasing early learning grants, and boosting support for in-home providers across Ohio.
To apply or learn more about partnership opportunities, visit childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/for-partners/partner-resources/public-private-partnership
