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Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP)

The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) helps families that are homeless, working, searching for work or in school help pay for childcare. CCCAP may pay a portion or all of the cost of childcare). Based on program referrals, families that are enrolled in the Colorado Works Program or engaged with Child Welfare Services may also use CCCAP services.

Transition to Enrollment Waitlist with Enrollment to begin Late-June 2026

The Douglas County Department of Human Services has transitioned to a Limited Funding Enrollment Waitlist for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) effective April 24^th, 2026.

Why This Change Is Happening
While some funding is available, it is not enough to meet the needs of all families applying for assistance, as a result an Enrollment Waitlist is in place. Families will be added to the CCCAP Program from the Waitlist as funding is available, in alignment with program guidelines. We understand how important reliable childcare is for families’ stability and employment, and we are committed to managing available resources carefully while continuing to monitor funding.

How to Apply
To be considered for CCCAP, you must complete and submit a full application along with all required verifications. Be sure to include all necessary information and documentation. Incomplete applications may delay processing or affect your placement on the waitlist.

Priority Groups
You may qualify to be added to the waitlist if you meet one or more of the following criteria:
Low Income: Household income at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, based on family size.
Children with Additional Care Needs: A child with a physical and/or mental disability requiring a higher level of care, or a child under court supervision. Documentation may include an IHCP, IEP, IFSP, medical or professional statements, or child welfare records.
Families Experiencing Homelessness: Lack of a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including temporary stays with others or living in motels, shelters, vehicles, campgrounds, or similar situations.
Colorado Works (TANF) Recipients: Currently receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.

How Priority is Determined
Families are prioritized based on the number of qualifying criteria met and families meeting two or more priority groups will be higher on the priority list than those meeting only one. Within each priority level, applications are processed in order based on the date received. Please note: Funding for CCCAP is limited, and not all eligible families will move off the waitlist at this time.

What Happens Next
Your application will be reviewed for eligibility and priority status
You will be placed on the CCCAP waitlist
You will be contacted when funding becomes available or if additional information is needed.

Please direct questions to [email protected] or, contact us via phone at 303-688-4825.

CCCAP Requirements

Household must be a County resident.
Applicant/s have to provide proof of income,
Recipient/s need to remain in an eligible activity,
Recipient’s may be required to pay for a portion of the childcare cost. If required, they will pay a “parental fee” directly to their childcare provider.
Recipient’s CCCAP eligibility is re-determined every 12 months.

These are the primary factors used to determine eligibility for this program. Eligibility will be determined by the Child Care Assistance Program staff when the applicant has completed the Child Care Assistance application, orientation by phone, and provided necessary verification.

Applications may be completed online at www.colorado.gov/PEAK or you may use the PEAK Kiosk computer available at the Douglas County Human Services building, 4400 Castleton Court, Castle Rock. Paper applications are available at the Douglas County Department of Human Services and can be mailed upon request.

To discuss program eligibility, or to begin the application and orientation process, please call:

Phone: 303-688-4825
Fax: 1-877-285-8988
[email protected]
4400 Castleton Court
Castle Rock, CO 80109

Below is a list of documentation that is useful to process a CCCAP application:

Social Security Numbers for all family members
Proof of residency, like a utility bill or other household bill, lease or, mortgage statement
One month of pay stubs for each parent or other proof of income

If you just started a new job, a confirmation letter from your employer is required. The letter must include your hire date, rate of pay, how often you are paid and your schedule. Also, needed are pay stubs within 30 days from your application date.

If you are in High School or in training to earn a GED, you can receive assistance until you complete your high school/GED education or you reach the age of 22.

If you are in post secondary education, you may be eligible to receive CCCAP. Speak with a representative to learn more.

Child Care Provider Types

There are two types of licensed providers Licensed Centers and Licensed Homes.

For a complete listing of licensed providers in Douglas County, visit Colorado Shines. You may also call 1-877-338-2273 to speak to a referral specialist.

Not every licensed child care provider accepts CCCAP. The Colorado Shines link will show all the licensed childcare centers/homes in Douglas County accepting the Child Care Assistance Program. CCCAP families may use child care from a CCCAP provider in another county. If a Family wants to use a child care provider that is not on currently accepting CCCAP, and the provider is willing to accept CCCAP, then Douglas County will coordinate with them to execute a Fiscal Agreement.

In order to CCCAP benefits, the child care provider has to have a contract with Douglas County Human Services or work with Douglas County Human Services to obtain a contract. Douglas County CCCAP cannot choose your childcare provider for you. When you choose a childcare provider, think about whether your child will be safe and encouraged to grow and learn.

You can select a state-licensed center or home or an exempt provider. Exempt providers can include a friend or family member. If you want an exempt provider to be your childcare provider, the provider and all members of their household over the age of 18 must be fingerprinted and a background check completed. The exempt provider is responsible for payment of the fingerprinting and background check. Childcare cannot be authorized until the checks are completed.

To find out more information and/or to apply for Child Care Assistance, please call 303-688-4825.

Become a CCCAP Child Care Provider Partner

If you are interested in becoming a child care provider that accepts CCCAP for payment of child care, Douglas County will send you a packet of information detailing the necessary documents and training including:

A Fiscal Agreement, or the contract between you and the county, which outlines each party’s responsibilities, policies and the rate you will be reimbursed for child care services. You will need a Fiscal Agreement with each county that you will accept children from under the CCCAP program.
A Form W-9 (IRS) is used for identification purposes to report payments made by CCCAP. You will receive a 1099 Form (IRS) at the end of each calendar year for tax purpose

For further information about being a CCCAP Provider please either call 303-814-7135 or email our Office at: [email protected]

Provider Resource and Information

Attendance Tracking System (ATS) is a required attendance record platform for CCCAP Providers. Below are links that provide further information.

Manual Claims

For child care services that were not paid via the ATS process will require a manual claim for payment.

Submitted manual claims will be reviewed by CCCAP staff to confirm manual payment is required. Please submit the following:

A completed manual claim form in its entirety.
Legible Sign in/out Sheets (attendance logs) are required for each child you are submitting a claim for.
- Parents are required to complete a signature for each in & out entry for each child for days in attendance.
Indicate the reason why you are submitting a manual claim for each child on the line provided on the Child Care Claim Form.
- Example: system error, new authorizations or a new provider.
The manual claim must be signed and dated by the provider.
If the manual claim is incomplete, missing information or is not legible the claim may be returned to you requesting corrections before the claim is processed. Incomplete manual claims could be denied.
Manual Claims must be received within 60 days after the month in which care was provided. We are unable to reimburse for care provided that is billed untimely. Example: manual claim for July must be received by the county no later than September 30^th

Child Care Provider Manual Claim Form

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