Financial Assistance

School Readiness Services, also known as subsidized child care, are available in Clay, Nassau, Baker, Bradford, Putnam and St. Johns Counties through Episcopal Children’s Services. However, families must qualify and there is often a waitlist, so it is important to apply as soon as possible.

Do you need an appointment with a Family Services Specialist/Child Care Resource and Referral Specialist? Click Here

School Readiness programs are designed to increase children’s chances of achieving future educational success. Working families who meet certain income requirements are able to enroll their children. Parents pay a co-payment based on a sliding fee scale and developmental screenings are conducted at least semi-annually to chart the individual progress.

Other children who qualify are at-risk of abuse or neglect, at risk of future school failure or are considered economically disadvantaged based on federal poverty guidelines. Parents pay a co-payment based on a sliding fee scale.

This child care system enables parents to work and earn money to support their families, a critical component of economic stability and growth. School readiness programs meet minimum quality standards including developmentally appropriate practices and curriculum instruction and health and safety requirements.

To apply for School Readiness Services please visit our Family Portal at: Click Here

To Qualify for the School Readiness Program Through The ELC of North Florida and Episcopal Children’s Services, You Must:

• Reside in Baker, Bradford, Clay, Nassau, Putnam or St. Johns County
• Parent(s)/guardian(s) must be working or participating in an educational activity such as attending college or trade school at least 20 hours/week.
• Gross income must be at or below 150 percent of federal poverty level for family size.
• Families must pay a copayment for child care based on income and family size.

Other children may be eligible if they have special needs, are at risk of abuse, neglect or abandonment, their parents are homeless, victims of domestic violence or are low income migrant families or farm workers.

How Much Money Can I Make and Still Qualify?

Eligibility is determined by both income and family size, so it is difficult to answer this question in a general way. To give you an idea, a family of three could earn up to $38,730 a year and still qualify to begin services. After receiving services initially, this same family would continue to qualify until they earned over $69,999 a year or 85% of the State Median Income (SMI). In another example, a family of four could earn up to $46,800 a year initially and would continue to qualify until they earned over $83,332.  A family of two could earn up to $30,660 a year initially and would continue to qualify until they earned over $56,666.

2024-2025-Sliding-Fee-Schedule-template_w70_SMI_Effective-092424.xlsx

What is the School Readiness Plus Program?

School Readiness Plus Program

The SR Plus program helps low-income families pay for child care while also lessening the effect of the “benefits cliff” when they are deemed no longer eligible for the full subsidy under the School Readiness (SR) Program. The intent of the program is to ensure SR families are economically self-sufficient and are capable of taking on the full cost of child care when they exit the SR program by paying an increased portion towards the cost of their child care as their income increases. In essence, it supports a family with accepting a promotion while not losing the entire child care subsidy.

SR Plus is for families that received SR child care services and recently exited the SR program due to a family income exceeding 85% of the State Median Income (SMI). The SR Plus program will continue to assist families with the cost of child care after they are no longer eligible for the SR program. There are two main eligibility requirements for families: termination from the SR program and family income above 85% of the SMI and at or below 100% of the SMI. Below is the SR Plus Sliding Fee schedule showing the household size and income that would quality a family for this program, after a family has received School Readiness services.

2024-2025-SR-Plus-Sliding-Fee-Schedule-New-SMI-09242022 spreadsheet

SR-Plus-Frequently-Asked-Questions_2024_08_23_Final.pdf

For more information regarding eligibility for the School Readiness Plus Program, please call 1-800-238-3463 and speak with one of our Family Services team members.