Connecticut expands early childhood care help

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — The state of Connecticut is expanding a program to make early childhood care more affordable for more families.

The changes were announced in Enfield Thursday morning for the state’s Care 4 Kids program, which helps low-to-moderate income families in Connecticut pay for child care costs.

Starting Jan. 1, 2025, family fees for Care 4 Kids will be capped at 7% of annual household income—the current rate is 10%. Gov. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.) said that will save families in the program about $200 a year.

Starting Oct. 1, 2024, Care 4 Kids will be opened up to more families, raising income eligibility
to add another 1500 children to the program.

“It’s a big priority for me to continue to expand access, make it more affordable, and pay the people who are doing the job because I know what a difference it makes for parents and their kids,” Lamont said.

Some federal money will pay for the program, and the state will kick in about $17 million a year. The governor said the state will make back much more than that in revenue because more parents will be able to work.

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