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Child Care

The child care workers at ACJFS have two main responsibilities:

  • Determining eligibility for publicly-funded child care for low income parents and parents receiving OWF cash assistance.  This allows parents to work, obtain job training, or attend school while being assured that their children are cared for in a safe, quality environment.

  • State licensing the child care provider homes.  This involves completing home inspections, gathering, and checking references, and doing background checks.

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In addition to completing an annual re-certification of benefits, recipients of child care assistance are responsible to report the following changes within 10 days of the change:

  • Address change

  • Change in employment (losing or gaining employment, change in employers, increase, or decrease in hours or rate of pay)

  • Change in number of people living in the home

  • Change in child care center or provider. Needs to be reported prior to change or within the service week of change. 

  • Changes in school attendance/enrollment status

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The child care workers at ACJFS are proud to serve Ashtabula County's families.

  • Approximately 720 families each month receive publicly-funded child care assistance

  • Ashtabula County has approximately 22 in-home child care providers

  • There are approximately 17 licensed child care centers in Ashtabula County

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Child Care Home
Forms - Clients

Forms - Clients

  • Click on the form number to access the form you need.

  • Child care applications and forms can be submitted to the agency via U.S. Mail, Fax (440) 998-1538 attention: Child Care Unit or drop off in the agency lobby.

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To apply for child care online:  Ohio Benefits

To print a child care application:  JFS 07200

To find licensed child care:  Providers in Ohio

For more information about:  Child Care in Ohio

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File a Complaint

If you believe a child care program in Ohio is not following the licensing rules, a program that may be operating illegally, or that Publicly Funded Child Care benefits are being misused, you can file a complaint with the policy help desk.

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Please be prepared to give the following information, if available:

  • Name of the Program

  • Location of the Program

  • Publicly Funded Child Care Case Number

  • Issue observed at the Program

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Please contact the Child Care Policy Help Desk at (877) 302-2347 option 4 or email: child carepolicy@jfs.ohio.gov.

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How to Apply

How to Apply

How do I apply for child care?

Click on the following link to access the Child Care Application:  Child Care Application

  • The application can be submitted via U.S. Mail, Fax (440) 998-1538, or online at https://ssp.benefits.ohio.gov

  • Child care applications can also be picked up and submitted in the agency lobby.

  • Applications can also be picked up and submitted at the agency, 2924 Donahoe Dr. Ashtabula, OH 44004

These amounts are determined using the 2021 Federal Poverty Guidelines as published in the Federal Register on February 1, 2021.  If the family size is above 8, add $4,540 to the annual income for each additional household member.

Locate a Provider

Locate a Provider

  • Ashtabula County Job & Family Services does not recommend, suggest, or endorse any child care provider or center.

  • All child care providers and centers contracted with the State of Ohio must meet minimum guidelines as required by the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services.

  • To search for providers and view child care center/in-home provider inspection reports, click on the following link: http://child caresearch.ohio.gov/

  • To learn more, visit https://jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/page2.stm

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Provider Types

Interested in
Becoming A Provider

Become an In-Home Family Child Care Provider Flyer.png

Provider Types and Qualifications

Type A Homes

  • Provide care for between 7 to 12 children in the provider's personal residence

  • If 4 of the children are under 2, the provider can care for between 4 to 12 children

  • The provider's own children under 6 are included in the total count of children

  • Provider must be licensed through the State of Ohio

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Type B Homes

  • Provide care for between 1 to 6 children in the provider's personal residence

  • No more than 3 children can be under 2 years of age

  • The provider's own children under 6 are included in the total count of children

  • Provider does NOT have to be licensed through the State of Ohio, but

  • Provider MUST be licensed if any of the care they provide is paid for with public funding

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Child Care Center

  • Provide care for 13 or more children at one time

  • Must be licensed through the State of Ohio

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Child Day Camps

  • Provides care for school-aged children

  • Operates for less than 7 hours per day

  • Operates when school is not in session

  • Program operates at least 50% outdoors

  • Must register with ODJFS annually

  • Camp MUST be accredited by the American Camping Association and submit the certificate annually if any of the care they provide is paid for with public funding

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For more information, please visit http://jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/page2.stm

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