Child-Care Subsidies and Low—Income Parents—Policies and Practices that Affect Access and Retention

Child-care subsidies for low-income families are critical to support work. Yet a relatively small proportion of eligible low-income families receive subsidies. This research examines policy-related factors that might explain this pattern. Using qualitative data from a comparative multisite case study in 1999, it suggests that two kinds of subsidy policies are likely to affect subsidy use: (a) policies–usually related to limited funding–that affect which families are eligible, know about the program, and can receive a subsidy if they apply; and (b) policies and practices that affect the ease/difficulty of applying for and keeping a subsidy. It discusses the possible implications of these issues and provides practical suggestions of policies that could better support subsidy use.