COVID-19 Childcare Relief Fund
The Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities (TuscBDD), recognizing the hardship that 2020 has posed for many families, has developed a COVID-19 Childcare Relief Fund to help parents cover extra childcare costs due to an increase in remote/hybrid learning.
TuscBDD has set aside limited, temporary funds to assist families with school-age (including preschool) children who are eligible for TuscBDD services and are currently participating in remote/hybrid learning due to COVID-19 concerns.
These funds are limited to children who are currently enrolled in a local school district or at the Starlight School. These funds are not available to those families whose child(ren) attend school in a district that has returned to full-time in school sessions and does not offer a remote/hybrid option. In recognizing the needs of families of children with disabilities, this funding is available to parents who work outside of the home and those who do not.
In order to qualify, parents must verify that they have no other means to pay for childcare (e.g. – not receiving state assistance for childcare expenses, PASSS funding, or have exhausted paid FMLA).
The funding amounts available depends upon whether or not the parents work outside of the home. For parents who work outside of the home, funds are not to exceed $800.00 per family (not per child) per month. For families who stay home with their child(ren), funds are not to exceed $200.00 per family (per month) to allow family members to complete essential tasks outside of the home. TuscBDD will reimburse families for childcare expenses for the time that the child would have typically been in school.
Reimbursement will be based on a maximum rate of $10.00 per hour. Parents have the flexibility to hire who they wish, provided that they know and trust that the child(ren) are in a supportive and safe environment. TuscBDD does not assume any parental and safety responsibilities. Whomever the parent hires is their decision. By requesting and receiving funds under this program, the family or guardian understands that the Board has no responsibility or liability related to the childcare provider chosen and agrees not to sue the Board for any harm caused by the childcare provider chosen.
TuscBDD has allocated these funds for eligible families through February 2021. These funds can be stopped at any time due to misuse, lack of verification of time, or falsification of hours. Depending on the circumstances, TuscBDD may seek recovery of any funds paid. All requests must be approved in advance.
To apply for funding, please contact your SSA. Click here for an SSA directory.