Apply for Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) Program

To qualify for CAPS, requirements are based on both the child and parent or guardian:

Child requirements

• Must be 12 years of age or younger, or 17 years of age or younger if the child has a qualifying disability or case plan requiring childcare as part of court-ordered supervision
• Must be a U.S. citizen or authorized immigrant
• Must be up to date on immunizations

Parent or guardian requirements

• Must be a resident of the state of Georgia
• Must meet state-approved activity requirements, such as employment or education. Visit the CAPS website for more information.
• Family gross applicable income cannot exceed 50 percent of the state median income. 

See a full list of CAPS eligibility requirements on the DECAL website.

• Proof of Georgia residency (this can include but is not limited to driver’s license or ID card, current lease or mortgage statement, or motor vehicle registration)
• Proof of identity
• Proof of child’s age, such as a birth certificate
• Proof of child’s citizenship or lawful immigrant status
• Proof of immunizations, such as a Certificate of Immunization

• Visit the Georgia Gateway website. 
• Log in or create an account.
• If you already have a Gateway account, but have forgotten or misplaced your Gateway password or your Gateway user ID, please refer to the Gateway website for instructions:
  • Forgot Password
  • Forgot User ID
• Select “childcare” from the list of assistance programs.
• Follow the prompts to apply for CAPS.
• A CAPS staff member will call you to review your application and determine eligibility.
• Applications are processed in the order they are received. You can speed up the process by ensuring you have submitted all required documentation in the Georgia Gateway portal and responding promptly to any correspondence from CAPS staff. You will receive notification within 30 calendar days from the date of your application if you have been approved for the CAPS program.

• Once you are approved, you will be assigned a Family Support Consultant. Family Support Consultants will work with and advocate for families, will help families if their situation changes, and will connect families with resources to help overcome obstacles to training or employment.
• You may enroll your child into any eligible childcare program.
• You may be required to pay a portion of the cost of childcare through family assessed fees.

You will need to redetermine your eligibility for CAPS each year (known as annual redetermination). A Family Support Consultant can help you do so.

Last updated April 2026