Child Care Resources
Disclaimer
The resources included in this post are for informational purposes only and should not be considered an endorsement of citizens, services, or agencies by the Yellowstone Country Assistance Network. We kindly ask you to contact these organizations directly for services, questions, comments, or concerns.
Yellowstone Country Assistnace Network
Access to affordable, high-quality childcare allows parents and caregivers to participate in the workforce, provides an entry into childhood education, and supports a lifetime of academic achievement. However, an affordable childcare system requires adequate public funding and enough licensed providers, especially in communities with more households with low incomes.
The Wyoming Department of Family Services oversees childcare programs in Wyoming, from licensing to assistance. Please visit your local Department of Family Services Office or visit them online to address your childcare needs.
Child Care Financial Assistance in Wyoming
Park County has 30% higher childcare costs than the state and national averages. The typical cost burden of childcare among counties in the U.S. is about 25% of household income – meaning a quarter of every dollar earned goes to paying for childcare.
If you seek childcare help, The Child Care Subsidy Program helps low-income families pay for care when the parent(s) search for employment, work, school, or training. Based on the family’s income, the parents may be responsible for paying for part of the cost of care. The Department of Family Services Child Care Subsidy Program uses a combination of state and federal funds to assist eligible families in paying for child care while the parent(s) is in an approved activity. f the family meets the eligibility criteria, the Department of Family Services pays a portion of the cost of care.
DFS bases its maximum reimbursement rates for licensed facilities on a Market Survey conducted at least once every three years. Their most recent survey is the 2022 Market Survey.
Local Department of Family Services offices for our service area include:
- Cody Office: 1301 Rumsey Avenue Cody, WY 82414 Phone: (307) 587-6246
- Powell Office: 109 W. 14th St Powell, WY 82435 Phone: (307) 754-2245
- Thermopolis Office: 403 Big Horn Thermopolis, Wyoming (307) 864-2158
- Website: https://dfs.wyo.gov/services/family-services/child-care/
Childcare Provider Finder
Wyoming Early Childhood Statewide Needs Assessment reported the Child Care Gap Percentage by county. Park County’s Child Care gap is within the top five lowest in the state. Compared to neighboring counties, the gap is much lower. For example, Hot Springs County is ranked #11 in the state.
| County | Children under 5 with parents in the workforce | Child Care Capacity | Allocated Need | Child Care Gap (#) | Child Care Gap (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park | 1,120 | 1,128 | 942 | 178 | 15.9% |
| Big Horn | 553 | 264 | 207 | 346 | 62.6% |
| Hot Springs | 197 | 145 | 145 | 52 | 26.4% |
| Washakie | 253 | 249 | 175 | 78 | 30.8% |
| Statewide | 25,516 | 21,891 | 19,933 | 7,583 | 27.6% |
If you are struggling to find Child Care Providers. In that case, the Wyoming Department of Family Services Facility Discovery has maps and text versions of Child Care facilities for each criterion, including filtering by Zip Code, County, Provider Type, Age Group, and more.
Local Department of Family Services offices for our service area include:
- Cody Office: 1301 Rumsey Avenue Cody, WY 82414 Phone: (307) 587-6246
- Powell Office: 109 W. 14th St Powell, WY 82435 Phone: (307) 754-2245
- Thermopolis Office: 403 Big Horn Thermopolis, Wyoming (307) 864-2158
- Website: https://findchildcarewy.org/maps/
Wyoming Child Support Program
For single-parent households struggling to pay for childcare and need Child Support Payment Assistance, the Wyoming Child Support Program, a program of the Wyoming Department of Family Services, is dedicated to helping families maneuver the many aspects of child support. Their expert and caring staff can help you with many time and money-saving services, from collecting and paying support to access professional services to establishing paternity. The Wyoming Child Support Program also promotes families” safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency, and we have offices throughout Wyoming to assist you better.
Local Wyoming Child Support offices for our service area include:
- Hot Springs County 119 South 9th Street Worland, Wyoming (307)-347-8927
- Park County 1002 Sheridan Ave. Co y, Wyoming (307)-527-8840
- Website: https://childsupport.wyo.gov
Wyoming DFS Child Care Stabilization Grant
For Child Care Providers
The Wyoming Department of Family Services oversees the WY Child Care Stabilization Grant, a grant opportunity to steady Wyoming’s childcare network. The grant gives financial support to eligible childcare providers that have experienced increased costs, disruptions, and challenges since March 2020.
- For assistance, providers can email dfsccta@wyo.gov or WY_ARPA_Grant@pubknow.com to leave your name, contact information, and a brief message. Calls are returned within one business day.
- Website: https://dfs.wyo.gov/providers/child-care/child-care-grants/
Community Services Block Grant
The Yellowstone Country Assistance Network is the Park and Hot Springs County administrator for the CSBG grant. YCAN provides CSBG funding to help local agencies increase their client’s self-sufficiency capacity and ability to work or attend school. One of the ways we assist income-eligible consumers is through a childcare assistance payment applicants must apply through one of the following local agencies:
- The Help Center at Common Ground-Hot Springs County (307) 864-3851
- Park County Court Supervised Treatment Program-Must be enrolled in this program
- The First Stop of Park County (307) 296-6706: Funds for this program have been exhausted for 2023 and are currently closed.
Wyoming 2-1-1
Suppose you still haven’t found the resources you are looking for and wish to speak to someone about available community childcare services. In that case, Wyoming 211 connects Wyomingites with nonprofits and government services in their area.
- If you would like personal assistance, dial 2-1-1 or 888-425-7138.
- Wyoming 211 is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Website https://wyoming211.org