(a) Strengthen the family. Child care is a service provided for children as a means to strengthen the family. Providing child care services which are safe and affordable for low income families enables a parent(s) or caretaker(s) to participate in employment, training, or education related activities which help them become more self-supporting. Child care is also provided in certain critical situations to help prevent neglect, abuse, or exploitation of children.

(b) Promote choice. A parent(s) or caretaker(s) can choose between a licensed and contracted child care center or family child care home, or a contracted in-home child care provider when deciding on the type of child care which best meets the needs of the family.

(c) Provide consumer education. The child care subsidy program encourages a parent(s) or caretaker(s) to become educated on choosing a provider that best suits the needs of a particular family.   • 1

(d) Achieve independence from welfare. Affordable, quality child care is a necessary support to help move Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) families from welfare dependency to self-support through employment or TANF Work activities.

(e) Encourage collaboration. The child care subsidy program encourages collaboration with all agencies and programs which help to strengthen families and increase resources available to families. Recommended partnerships include child care and:

• (1) child support programs;
• (2) the Medical Assistance Program;
• (3) child protective services;
• (4) cash assistance programs; and
• (5) Head Start, Early Head Start, and First Start.