Child Care Services
If you are a parent who is employed, participating in an Ohio Works First activity or enrolled in post-secondary school, you may be eligible to receive assistance with a portion of your childcare costs.
Do I Qualify?
Eligibility is based on gross income and family size.
To be eligible:
- Caretakers (parents) must be working, attending post- secondary school or participating in an approved Ohio Works First work activity.
- Potential eligibility exists for homeless caretakers and individuals with protective childcare case plans.
- Children must be under the age of 13, or if they have special needs, under the age of 18.
- Children must meet citizenship requirements.
- Other eligibility factors.
What Verifications Are Needed?
- Proof of all income (employment, child support, disability, unemployment, etc)
- Birth Certificates for all children needing care
- Official school schedule
What Happens After I Submit My Application?
Child Care applications are processed by a caseworker without a face-to-face appointment.
To receive child care assistance, you must use a licensed child care center or a certified family child care home. For more information on how to locate and choose quality child care visit Child Care Search Ohio
Once your child care application has been approved, your child will be authorized to receive child care at the Center or provider you have chosen.
Methods for Submission
Return change form (application-requests to reapply) and verification documents to us
with your name and case number (if available) on ALL documents
- Online - Application for Child Care through SSP - https://benefits.ohio.gov/
- Fill out an application and return through:
- Fax - Fax your documents to 419-522-1744.
- Email - your documents to Richland-Documents@jfs.ohio.gov.
- Mail - Documents can also be mailed to the address below.
- Deliver in person - Documents can be placed in the exterior or interior drop box at:
171 Park Ave East
Mansfield, OH 44902
Finding a Provider
Currently there are three types of providers: child care centers, type A homes and type B homes.
Richland County Child Care Services does not select a provider, you must choose the child care provider that will meet your needs.
The following information will help you determine the difference between each category of provider and find specific providers within each category.
Child Care Centers and Type A Homes
Child Care Centers and Type A Homes are licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. A child care center is licensed to care for more than 12 children at a time. Type A homes are usually a private residence licensed to care for up to 12 children. You can search centers and Type A homes by county, city, zip code, program type or Step Up to Quality rating on the ODJFS site by clicking the green button below.
Child Care Home Providers
Type B Homes are licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services based on a recommendation and inspections conducted by Richland County Job & Family Services. A child care home is a private residence licensed to care for up to six children. There are approximately 39 child care type B home providers within the county.
To receive child care assistance, you must use a licensed child care center or a certified family child care home. For more information on how to locate and chose quality child care visit http://childcaresearch.ohio.gov
Search by Quality
The Ohio Department of Education and Job and Family Services ranks some child care programs by quality.
Providers have the opportunity to earn up to five stars, and the more stars, the better.
Fax: 419-774-0051
8:00am‑4:00pm
8:00am - 3:30pm
Richland-ContactUs@jfs.ohio.gov
