The Child Care Certificate Program (CCCP) oversees financial assistance with child care costs for eligible children in twelve counties. The Program Staff is responsible for assisting eligible clients in finding quality child care for their children. In addition Program Staff conduct outreach to providers, determine & continue eligibility, accept referrals, counsel & distribute consumer education materials, issue certificates, provide training as needed, and monitor unregulated providers. Program Staff provide case management services to its clients as well.
Who is Eligible?
Parents who need assistance with child care costs in order to work or go to school must meet eligibility criteria. Mid-Cumberland Human Resource Agency serves several funding sources including Families First, At Risk Child Care, At Risk — Child Only Child Care, Low Income Parents, Teen Parents, and referrals from the Department of Children's Services (DCS). Eligibility for most of these funding sources are determined and referred to us by local Department of Human Services (DHS) & DCS offices.
Families First Child Care Assistance - Parents participating in the Families First program who need child care to complete the work activities in their personal responsibility plan receive first priority assistance. Eligibility is based on Families First income guidelines and work/activity requirements. Eligibility is determined and referred to the Certificate Program by local DHS offices. In addition caregivers such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc who receive "child only" Family First may be eligible for child care services through the At Risk — Child Only Child Care (ARCO) if they meet income and work requirements. These individuals may contact their local Certificate Program directly.
Transitional Child Care Assistance - Parents on the Families First program whose cases are closed may qualify for 18 months of transitional child care to assist in the transition from welfare to self-sufficiency. The initial eligibility for this second priority program is completed and referred by DHS. The Certificate Program is responsible for verifying eligibility under the activity requirements. Eligibility is also based on an income scale with a limit at about 60% of the state's median income. Temporary funding may also be available for the 12 months following Transitional Child Care through the At Risk Child Care (ACC) program.
Low Income Working Parent Assistance - Eligibility for this program was designed to allow teen parent to continue their education. Teen Parents' eligibility for this program is based upon active enrollment in High School or GED programs and income guidelines. Individuals interested in this program may contact their local Certificate Program directly.
Teen Parent Assistance - This program was designed to allow teen parent to continue their education. Teen Parents' eligibility for this program is based upon active enrollment in High School or GED programs and income guidelines. Individuals interested in this program may contact their local Certificate Program directly.
Children in foster care and protective services may receive child care assistance with all eligibility requirements determined by DCS and referred to the Certificate Program.
Funding Source:
The Child Care Certificate Program (CCCP) is funded in its entirety by the Tennessee Department of Human Services.
Child Care Resource & Referral:
The Child Care Certificate Program Staff provide education to clients regarding quality child care through consultation, literature and referral. Among these referral sources is the Child Care Resource & Referral Centers which helps child care providers improve their child care practices, encourages them to include children with disabilities in their programs and improve the health outcomes of children entrusted to their case. The Centers also provide our parents referrals and resources for child care at the local level.
Mid-Cumberland CCR&R
1-866-446-6006
Service Area: Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Stewart and Williamson counties
Upper-Cumberland CCR&R
1-888-621-5753
Service Area: Sumner, Trousdale and Wilson counties
Child Care Complaints
All Child care complaints are received centrally and then dispatched to the local area for investigation. If you have any concerns or would like to report a violation regarding a child care provider you may contact the Complaint Hotline at 1-800-462-8261.
Parents who are interested in receiving services through Families First should contact their local DHS office to determine eligibility. Click on the link below to locate the office in your area.
Families First Child Care Assistance - Parents participating in the Families First program who need child care to complete the work activities in their personal responsibility plan receive first priority assistance. Eligibility is based on Families First income guidelines and work/activity requirements. Eligibility is determined and referred to the Certificate Program by local DHS offices. In addition caregivers such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc who receive "child only" Family First may be eligible for child care services through the At Risk — Child Only Child Care (ARCO) if they meet income and work requirements. These individuals may contact their local Certificate Program directly. 
