Child care and family support resources
Families may be looking for help with child care, early learning, child support, or fostering and adoption. These are different services, so this page groups them by the task you want to complete. Open a program overview for its official website and any state or local contact finder already available in the directory.
Compare the resources in this topic
Choose the task that matches what you are looking for. The official provider explains current rules and next steps.
| Program or resource | What it describes | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Child Care Assistance (CCDF) | Subsidies that help low-income working families pay for child care. | Program overview and official links → 51 jurisdiction links in the state table. |
| Head Start | Free early learning, health, and family services for children from birth to age 5 in low-income families. | Program overview and official links → Includes: Find a Head Start center near you. |
| Child Support Services | Helps parents establish paternity and obtain and enforce child support orders. | Program overview and official links → Includes: Find your state child support agency. |
| Foster Care and Adoption | Resources for families considering fostering or adopting and for professionals working in child welfare. | Program overview and official links → Includes: Find your state social services agency. |
Follow the appropriate official route
- Open the relevant program overview above.
- Follow its official information, application or locator link. Resource labels show which type of page is provided.
- Check current requirements with the provider before sharing application details.
Different programs may use different offices, applications and review processes. A topic grouping does not establish eligibility or guarantee assistance.
Find your state agency and benefits portal · Explore the USAGov Benefit Finder.
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