Current operational status (as of April 2026): Unfortunately, no new income-eligible vouchers have been awarded from the waitlist since March 2024. The waitlist and the voucher rules below remain in effect, but families applying for a new income-eligible voucher should not expect a near-term authorization. DTA and DCF referrals, as well as existing voucher reauthorizations, are being processed normally. Source: MassBudget FY26 analysis. Your CCR&R can confirm current conditions.

If you are a young parent (under 24 years old), you may qualify for childcare through the Young Parent Child Care Services Program. This program has its own eligibility pathway and is designed to support young parents pursuing education and employment.

Who Is Eligible

To qualify as a young parent for this program:

• You must be younger than 24 years old (or in your third trimester of pregnancy)
• You must be participating in one of the following:
  • A full-time high school program
  • A high school equivalency (GED) program
  • If you already have a diploma or GED: an approved higher education, training, and/or work activity
• You must meet EEC's income eligibility requirements

If you turn 24 during your authorization, you can continue through the end of your current 12-month authorization period. You do not lose your voucher on your birthday.

How to Apply

You can apply at:

• Your local CCR&R
• A program that holds a Teen Parent Contract
• A local DTA office
• Any other location authorized by EEC

If you already have a DTA referral, that referral counts as documentation of your income, service need, residency, and family relationships.

Documentation

At your initial authorization, you must submit documentation verifying:

• Your age (birth certificate, driver's license, or other government-issued ID)
• Your identity
• Your income
• Your service need (school enrollment, employment, etc.)
• Your residency
• Your family relationships

At reauthorization, you only need to re-verify income and service need (and residency if it has changed).

Service Need Rules for Young Parents

• If you're in high school or a GED program, that counts as a full-time service need
• If you already have a diploma or GED, you must meet the regular income-eligible service need requirements
• Summer breaks from high school or GED programs are treated as a temporary change — your care continues

Authorization Periods

• Eligibility is determined for 12 months at a time
• You may also receive a 12-week provisional authorization (with the possibility of one additional 12-week period) if you qualify under the provisional rules in the income-eligible program — see Service Need (1.3)
• Your CCR&R is required to notify you in writing at least 60 days before your authorization period ends

Participation Requirements

If you're enrolled through a program with a Teen Parent Contract, you must:

• Participate in at least 8 hours per month of structured social service support activities (unless you receive equivalent services elsewhere)
• Participate in child care activities in your child's classroom or family child care home at least 1 hour per month

Priority Access

Young parents receive priority access on the EEC centralized waitlist. If you can't enroll in a Teen Parent Contract program due to lack of available funding, you will be placed on the waitlist with priority status.

Continuity of Care — After the Young Parent Program

When your Young Parent Child Care Services end, you can continue receiving childcare through the income-eligible program if you meet the requirements. Any unpaid fee balance or disqualification period must be resolved first.

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Next Steps

• Not sure if you qualify? See Am I Eligible? (1.1) for general requirements
• Need to know what documents to bring? See What Documents Do I Need? (1.4)
• Approaching your 24th birthday? Start planning your transition to the income-eligible program
• Also receiving DTA benefits? See DTA Referrals (1.12) — you may have a faster path
• Contact your CCR&R to find a Teen Parent Contract program in your area