The Child Care Assistance and Referral program provides financial assistance for child care to low and moderate income Fairfax County families who are working, or who are in education/training programs and need assistance with paying for the cost of child care. The program pays for child care in centers, family child care homes, or School Age Child Care.

Who is Eligible?

• Low and moderate income families who work or are in training (see chart below).
• Families that receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
• Families that participate in the Virginia Initiative for Employment Not Welfare program.
• Families that care for Fairfax County children who are in Foster Care.
• Families that are part of the Child Protective Services system.
• Families with children with special needs, as well as homeless families that apply while they are in a shelter.

CCAR Eligibility Chart
(Effective August 1, 2010 - September 30, 2011)

Larger families with higher incomes may also be eligible for assistance. Interested families should telephone CCAR to determine eligibility and fees.

What Parents Pay

Depending on eligibility, families may be responsible for paying only a portion of the weekly child care fee. CCAR may pay the remaining amount, and also a program registration fee for one year. Parents are responsible for all other charges, including overtime and late fees. Parent fees are:

• Based on income, size of family and the number of children in care.
• Paid directly to the provider.

How to Apply

Call CCAR at 703-449-8484 for more information. You can also download a CCAR application.

Other Programs

The School-Age Child Care Program
Head Start and Early Head Start
Virginia Preschool Initiative Program

It's 3 p.m. -  Do you know where your children are?

The average family in Fairfax County is comprised of either two working parents or a single working parent. This has created a community of latchkey children - young children and teens going home to an empty house or caring for younger siblings. For this reason, Community and Recreation Services has made it a priority to provide quality after-school programs so that schoolage children spend non-school hours in safe, nurturing environments so they can grow socially, Community Centers, Teen Centers, Computer Clubhouses and Computer Learning Centers Partnerships (CLCP), and Therapeutic Recreation Services, 4-H Youth Development, and sports programs.

Middle School After School Program

Middle school after-school programs are offered at every public middle school in Fairfax County. Programs are available weekdays and begin after the regular school day ends. Late buses are provided three days a week with parent-pick up on those days that transportation is unavailable. This middle school program design provides students with a positive alternative to spending time on the streets or being home alone, an opportunity to develop skills, build character, and partake in challenging fun activities. There are four components to each program. They include:

• Academic support and enrichment
• Social skills and youth development
• Physical, health, and recreational projects
• Family and community involvement

Each middle school has an after-school specialist who coordinates these activities. Programs are free, there is no waiting list and volunteers are welcome. To find out the contact person at a specific school, please call 703-324-5719, TTY 711.

Mott Community Center After-School Program for Teens

12111 Braddock Road
Fairfax, VA 22032

• Mott offers FREE after-school programs for students aged 12 throuogh 18.  Enjoy computer and internet access, field trips, homework help, open gym, teen forums, and youth-led activities.
• The program runs Monday through Friday from 1 to 6 p.m. On Monday and Wednesday participants may stay until 9 p.m., and on Friday participants may stay until 10 p.m.  Limited transportation to the center is available on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, but participants must provide their own transportation home.
• For more information or to arrange for transportation, please contact Torrey Piper at 703-278-8605, TTY 711.

Reston Teen Center After-School Program

12196 Sunset Hills Drive
Reston, VA 20191

The Reston Teen Center After-School Program provides an engaging environment to motivate and inspire learning outside of the regular school day.  This program is offered to teens, grades six through twelve. Program Hours are Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. Snacks are provided daily. Activities include:

• Arts and crafts
• Games
• Movies
• Team building activities
• Computer lab time
• Music
• Drama and more

For more information, please call 703-324-TEEN (8336), TTY 711.

Computer Clubhouse After-School Program

You don't have to be computer savvy to be a member of one of our computer clubhouses. We take great delight in teaching you computer skills in an after-school environment. This is a great place for youth and young adults without computers at home to develop computer and keyboarding skills. Most computer clubhouses are open immediately after school from 3 to 8 p.m.

4-H Youth Clubs After School Program

4-H for Head, Heart, Hands, Health...and FUN! Kids participating in 4-H programs gain valuable leadership skills, develop decision-making abilities, increase their appreciation for community service, and learn to set goals, plan projects and solve problems. 4-H provides a service-learning environment where youth learn to communicate more effectively and are motivated to make a difference, today and tomorrow.

Yorkville Community After School Program

The Yorkville Cooperative After-School Program is designed to motivate students to achieve and sustain academic success in school by:

• Supporting FCPS Standards of Learning (SOL) objectives.
• Providing homework assistance.
• Engaging students in character building and experiential (hands-on) learning opportunities.
• Taking students on field trips for first-hand learning experiences.

If you live in the Yorkville Community, please call 703-273-1210, TTY 711 for more information.

Related Programs

Teen Services
Community Centers
Fairfax County Public Schools

The Child Care Assistance and Referral program provides financial assistance for child care to low and moderate income Fairfax County families who are working, or who are in education/training programs and need assistance with paying for the cost of child care. The program pays for child care in centers, family child care homes, or School Age Child Care.

Who is Eligible?

• Low and moderate income families who work or are in training (see chart below).
• Families that receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
• Families that participate in the Virginia Initiative for Employment Not Welfare program.
• Families that care for Fairfax County children who are in Foster Care.
• Families that are part of the Child Protective Services system.
• Families with children with special needs, as well as homeless families that apply while they are in a shelter.

CCAR Eligibility Chart
(Effective August 1, 2010 - October 1, 2011)

Larger families with higher incomes may also be eligible for assistance. Interested families should telephone CCAR to determine eligibility and fees.

What Parents Pay

Depending on eligibility, families may be responsible for paying only a portion of the weekly child care fee. CCAR may pay the remaining amount, and also a program registration fee for one year. Parents are responsible for all other charges, including overtime and late fees. Parent fees are:

• Based on income, size of family and the number of children in care.
• Paid directly to the provider.

How to Apply

Call CCAR at 703-449-8484 for more information. You can also download a CCAR application.

Other Programs

The School-Age Child Care Program
Head Start and Early Head Start
Virginia Preschool Initiative Program