Dr. Carey Wright State Superintendent | Maryland Department Of Education
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has announced a temporary freeze on enrollments for the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Program due to reaching funding capacity. This measure will take effect on May 1.
The decision follows significant growth in the program, which offers child care assistance to qualifying Maryland families. Since January 2023, the demand has surged by 87%, with over 21,000 additional children joining the program. Those families already enrolled will continue to receive benefits without any interruptions as long as they maintain eligibility and complete the necessary recertification process. Providers will also keep receiving payments for the children already in the program.
Families can still submit applications, even during the enrollment freeze. Submitted applications will be processed and added to a waitlist. Scholarships will be distributed once there is available funding.
The freeze does not impact families making private payments. Child care providers can still accept new private-pay families. MSDE has plans to offer resources to assist programs in informing families about the freeze and will provide regular updates on the program’s status.
Further details can be found on the Child Care Scholarship Program's website or by contacting 877-227-0125.
For media inquiries, contact Raven Hill at 410-767-0486 or via email at raven.hill@maryland.gov.
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