For many families, finding affordable child care is one of the bigger obstacles to being able to be full participants in the workforce. Sometimes it just makes more sense for a parent to stay home with the kids than to go out into a job that perhaps doesn’t even cover the costs of child care.

With the launch of Ohio’s Child Care Cred Program, funding is now available for a program that helps split the child care burden.

“Ensuring a stable workforce for Ohio’s growing economy encourages us to support our working families,” said state Sen. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster. “By creating a cost-sharing model between parents, employers, and the State of Ohio to help families afford quality child care, businesses can focus on the needs of their company while maintaining a stable workforce. I’m proud to see this program go into effect and look forward to the relief and opportunities it will bring for working families across the Buckeye State.”

Applications for participation in the $10 million program are due by May 1, 2026, with funding available through June 30, 2026. Families must live in the state and employers must be Ohio-based to qualify.

According to Gov. Mike DeWine’s office, the state is also working toward expanding child care voucher availability, increasing early learning grants and increasing support for in-home providers.

“The new Child Care Cred Program is designed to help Ohio’s families get access to child care,” DeWine said. “And, when parents have quality child care, Ohio’s employers have productive employees who are not worried about their kids during work. It is a win for Ohio’s working families and for businesses.”

With employers willing to support parents and the state chipping in a little, too, the program should, indeed, be a boost for the Buckeye State’s workforce. If it proves to be a success, lawmakers must give serious consideration to expanding its reach.