The Department of Human Services’ Office of Child Care and Regulatory Services, which administers the Family, Friends and Neighbors (FFN) portion of the block grant, has announced changes to the application limits for kids.
For the summer months, the federally funded program provided childcare subsidies for approved parent applicants and family, friend or neighbor (informal) applicants. The summer funding covered kids aged zero to 12. As of Tuesday, Sept. 1, the age limit has been reduced to children ages zero to 5 due to the start of the fall (2020/2021) school year. This change is mandated by federal requirements. Additionally, the FFN program will cover kids aged zero to 12 for post work-day hours (4 p.m. to 7 a.m.). Eligible applicants can get up to eight hours of care covered.
Special Applicant Requirements:
1) Informal Provider/FFN Application for Parents
2) Informal Provider/FFN Application for Providers
(Both the Parent and Provider Applications must be turned in at the same time for processing)
3) Employer documentation/ job verification citing work hours
4) Completion of all required documentation by The Office of Child Care in order for applications to be processed and awards granted.
No new block grant applications will be accepted for child care centers.
Parents can submit an application to the Office of Child Care and Regulatory Services for Child Care Subsidy Assistance by downloading and completing the Child Care Informal Provider Application from the Department of Human Services at www.dhs.gov.vi/OCCRS/index.html.
The parent(s) of the child(ren) can apply for subsidies for children ages zero to 5 for the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. shift, or parents working after-hour shifts (4 p.m. to 7 a.m.) can apply for kids aged zero to 12. The parent must list all information requested for the Family, Friend or Neighbor (FFN) he or she has selected to care for the child(ren). Income eligibility is determined on a case by case basis.
To be approved as an informal or FFN provider, the provider cannot live with the parents or children.
A clearance by the V.I. Police Department of Criminal Records and V.I. Sex Offender Registry check will be conducted by The Office of Child Care and Regulatory Services.
Block Grant (Child Care) applications are now available for parents and guardians on the Department of Human Services website Child Care and Regulatory Services page at www.dhs.gov.vi/OCCRS/index.html. The application can be downloaded, filled out and sent in at:
- St. Croix – Office of Child Care, 129 Golden Rock
- St. Thomas – Office of Child Care, Knud Hansen Building, 1303 Hospital Ground,
- St. John – DHS Office in Cruz Bay
Or, completed applications can be scanned and emailed to BlockGrant.Application@dhs.vi.gov.
Please note: The Office of Child Care and Regulatory Service has updated contact information because the division is teleworking at this time. No in-person meetings or interviews are being conducted at this time.
St. Thomas Office: 774-0930
Process Coordinator Extension: 4186
Office Assistant Extension: 4181
Licensing Director: 4184
St. Croix Office: 772-7100
Process Coordinator Extension: 7048
Child Care Specialist Extension: 7044
Child Care Specialist Extension: 7045
Licensing Specialist Extension: 7047
Office Assistant Extension: 7147
QRIS Director Extension: 7046
The Department of Human Services (DHS) exists to provide social services to members in the community with diverse needs. In times of national uncertainty and hardship, DHS acts as a safety net and exists to inspire hope and empower change through non-judgmental, quality delivery of needed services and resources. Please visit the Department of Human Services website at www.dhs.gov.vi for more information.
If you are experiencing any of the coronavirus symptoms listed on the Department of Health website (listed below), self-quarantine and immediately contact the Department of Health:
o V.I. DOH website: https://doh.vi.gov/
o COVID-19 Hotline: 712-6299 or 776-1519