Copyright © 2026
First Come First Serve by April 30, 2026
Questions? Email ccwkc@mochildcareaware.org
Program Benefits for First Responders:
- Lower Child Care Costs - Eligible families receive monthly support to significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
- Real-Time Access to Licensed and/or Registered Providers - Choose from a wide network of child care providers based in Missouri.
- More Flexibility for Your Family - Pick the provider, location, and schedule that works best for you.
- Easy to Apply - Once the parent application form is live it will ony take a few minutes to complete the online application from your phone or computer.
The City of Kansas City, in coordination with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), is launching a Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program designed to make child care more accessible, affordable, and easier to find for first responders.
Through the program, the cost of child care is shared between the City of Kansas City, MO, DESE, and participating first responder employees.
KCMO First Responders Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program
Designed to make care more affordable and accessible for the families who serve our community every day.
Who Is Eligible:
Full-time, active First Responders employed by the City of Kansas City, MO Fire and Aviation Dept and Kansas City Police Department. Participants must meet all of the following:
- Income: Prioritization of base household income between 150% and 555% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- Other Child Care Assistance: Applicants receiving any other child care assistance funds or child care subsidy from the State are not eligible to receive funding through the Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program
- Child Age: Children age 12 or younger, or up to 18 with a documented special need
- Care Need: Full-time or part-time child care requirement
- Provider: Use of a Missouri-based licensed, license-exempt, or Six-or-Fewer child care provider eligible under the Missouri Child Care Works (CCW) model
• How to apply for the benefit
• What your child care provider needs to know
• Frequently Asked Questions about the benefit
KCMO First Responders
Child Care Aware of Missouri (CCAMO) will serve as the third-party program administrator, as authorized by the City of Kansas City, MO and will utilize the TOOTRiS technology platform to administer eligibility, enrollment, payments, and reporting.
Applications are now being accepted.
Applications accepted on a first come, first serve basis through April 30, 2026.
