The NC Tri-Share Child Care Program creates a public-private partnership to share the cost of child care with employees. Employers, eligible employees, and the State equally split the price of child care for working families. Through this program, eligible employees receive child care benefits. This initiative is a collaborative effort of the NC Partnership for Children, Catapult Employers Association and Smart Start Network Regional Hubs.
NC Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program
Smart Start is excited to introduce you to NC’s Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program, a groundbreaking solution that addresses the child care struggles faced by many employees and families.
What is NC Tri-Share?
NC Tri-Share goals include:
- Making high-quality child care affordable and accessible for working families
- Helping employers retain and attract employees
- Supporting the stabilization of child care businesses across the State.
How Does NC Tri-Share Work?
click image to enlarge
The North Carolina General Assembly directed funding to the NC Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program via the 2023 Appropriations Act, Session Law (S.L. 2023-134). NC Tri-Share is currently funded through October 2025.
State lawmakers allocated $900,000 for NCPC to divide among three Regional Hubs (Local Partnerships) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 and FY 2024-2025.
NCPC and DCDEE selected the following Smart Start Local Partnerships to serve as Regional Hubs because of their community ties, leadership within early care and education, and connection to other Local Partnerships:
- Cleveland County Partnership for Children and Families to serve Cleveland, Rutherford, Henderson, Lincoln, and Gaston Counties
- The Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children to serve Martin and Pitt Counties
- Partners for Children and Families of Moore County, to serve Moore, Chatham, Cumberland, Hoke, Montgomery, Richmond, Union and Scotland Counties.
How Can You Become a Part of NC Tri-Share?
If you work in a county served by a Smart Start Local Partnership administering NC Tri-Share, you may be eligible to participate.
Families that qualify for participation in Tri-Share will be:
- Employed by a participating business
- Have a household income between 185% and 300% of the federal poverty level.
- Otherwise ineligible for other subsidized child care
Family Eligibility Standards (click to enlarge)
Join NC Tri-Share Now!
Consider contacting a NC Tri-Share Regional Hub for information on how to participate
in NC Tri-Share as an employee, an employer, or as a child care provider.
