John McCarthy
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Office of Child Care and Regulatory Services, that administers the Family, Friends and Neighbors (FFN) portion of the Block Grant announced changes to the application limits for kids this week.
For the summer months, the federally-funded program provided childcare subsidies for approved parent applicants and family, friend or neighbor (informal) applicants. The summer funding covered kids aged zero (0) – twelve (12).
As of September 1, 2020, the age limit has been reduced to children ages zero (0) to five (5) due to the start of the fall (20/21) school year.
This change is mandated by federal requirements.
Additionally, the FFN program will cover kids aged zero to twelve (0 – 12) for post work-day hours (4 p.m. – 7 a.m.). Eligible applicants can get up to eight hours of care covered.
Special Applicant Requirements:
1) Informal Provider/FFN Application for Parents
2) Informal Provider/FFN Application for Providers
(Both the Parent and Provider Applications must be turned in at the same time for processing)
3) Employer documentation/ job verification citing work hours
4) Completion of all required documentation by The Office of Child Care in order for applications to be processed and awards granted.
No new Block Grant Applications will be accepted for child care centers.
Parents can submit an application to the Office of Child Care and Regulatory Services for Child Care Subsidy Assistance by downloading and completing our Child Care Informal Provider Application from
our Department of Human Services at www.dhs.gov.vi/OCCRS/index.html
