Virginia families with young children now have improved access to child care through an extension of the expanded Child Care Subsidy Program, according to a release from Gov. Ralph Northam’s office.

Earlier this year, Northam signed House Bill 2206, sponsored by Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax), which established a new short-term eligibility category for parents seeking financial assistance for child care while looking for employment and temporarily increased the income eligibility criteria through July 31, 2021.

The governor has directed the Virginia Department of Education to use existing federal funding to continue covering co-payments for families through Dec. 31.

The expanded Child Care Subsidy Program makes financial assistance for child care available to families with at least one child under age five years who is not yet in kindergarten, with a household income up to 85 percent of the state median income. This expansion nearly doubles the previous income threshold ...