If your family requires financial assistance to cover Viking Discovery Program tuition, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) may provide support through the Child Care Subsidy Program (formerly known as Title XX).
To determine eligibility, DHHS evaluates several factors, including total gross household income. This includes both earned income (such as wages or salary) and unearned income (such as child support, Social Security benefits, or unemployment compensation). Families are encouraged to contact DHHS directly to learn more about qualification requirements and the application process.
Child Care Subsidy Information from the Department of Health and Human Services
In order to qualify for assistance, you must need child care because you are:
- Employed;
- Actively seeking employment;
- Participating in an Employment First activity as part of the Aid to Dependent Children Program;
- Attending school or training sessions;
- Going to medical or counseling appointments for yourself or another child; and/or
- Incapacitated (as verified by a physician).
If there are two parents in the family, both parents must be participating in one of the activities listed above in order to qualify. Children under age 12 qualify.
Families who qualify for the Child Care Subsidy Program may select a provider of their choice; however, DHHS will only issue payment to child care providers who are licensed and approved by the Department. The Viking Discovery Program is fully licensed and approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and maintains a current provider agreement with the State. As such, we are authorized to accept tuition payments directly from the State of Nebraska on behalf of eligible families.
Applying for financial assistance is the responsibility of each individual family. Viking Discovery Program staff are unable to initiate subsidy requests on a family’s behalf; however, our Foundation Office Manager, Mary Havlovic, is available to assist families in navigating the application process.
For more information about the Child Care Subsidy Program, please contact ACCESSNebraska at 1-800-383-4278 (toll-free) or 402-323-3900 (Lincoln). Applications may be submitted online at www.accessnebraska.ne.gov.
For specific questions, you may also contact:
Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services
Child Care Subsidy Office
P.O. Box 95026
Lincoln, NE 68509-5044
Office Phone: 402-471-9325
