The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Family Assistance (BFA) released new data on child care services and subsidies, underscoring their importance for working families across the state.
Currently, there are 1,391 licensed child care providers with 128 new provider applications under review, and 44,941 available slots in West Virginia. The State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025 child care services budget totals $124,290,526. Of this amount, $7,977,036 comes from general revenue funds, while $116,313,490 is appropriated from federal sources.
DoHS supports child care through subsidies that help West Virginia families afford care, licensing facilities, conducting quality reviews, and providing education support for professionals.
As of April 2024, data shows:
– 12,293 children in 7,211 families benefited from subsidized child care during the month.
– The average family size was three.
– 84.88% of families were headed by a single parent.
– 97.43% of families were engaged in employment, education or training with 86.91% reporting employment income.
– 87.32% of families contributed parental co-pays.
– Only 2.66% reported income from TANF assistance and just 0.04% reported income from SNAP benefits.
The average monthly cost of care per child was $671.80 with parents covering 14.69% and the program covering 85.31%. For children under one year old, monthly expenditures averaged $645.45; for school-aged children (six and older), expenditures were $526.07. A significant portion—64.01%—of total child care expenditures went to children under six years old.
Eligibility for subsidies requires household income at or below 85% of the State Median Income for family size and parents or guardians must be employed or in school/training among other criteria.
“The majority of families who benefit from child care subsidies are hardworking West Virginians who are balancing employment, education or training while providing for their families,” said Janie Cole, DoHS Bureau for Family Assistance Commissioner. “These are not individuals who are relying solely on public assistance programs but rather they are active members of the workforce contributing to the state’s economy.”
To view and apply for career opportunities that support West Virginia families visit governmentjobs.com/careers/wv.
