The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has responsibility for one of two childcare subsidy programs that were formerly both managed by the HHS Child Care subsidy office. Purchase of Care or POC, is now called Child Care Scholarship (CCS) managed by Child Care Subsidy Central. The CCS Central office can be reached at: 1.877.227.0125. For fax numbers, click on third link.

CCS Both programs issue vouchers to help eligible families pay a portion of child care costs. Central handles: Application status or questions about existing cases; confirmation of documentation sent or received by the office; requests for application or a form; and/or calls from clients who have a subsidy or have questions.

The local HHS Child Care Subsidy office will continue to take applications for the Montgomery County Working Parents (WPA) program. If an applicant is income eligible for the State Child Care Scholarship Program, the local HHS Child Care Subsidy Program will deny the WPA application and mail the parent an application to apply for childcare scholarship through CCS Central.

First time callers/people new to the process, may contact the Working Parents Assistance (WPA) program at: 240.777.1177 for assistance on where to apply. Please contact CCS Central at the State directly, if caller has made application at the State office.

To complete an application for WPA, for a list of frequently asked questions including income guidelines; required documentation and for office locations, see link below.