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All kinds of help

Care

Help paying for child care and preschool, care for older adults, and support for people with disabilities. Your state runs help paying for child care and services for older adults and people with disabilities. Head Start is free preschool for young children in families with low income.Help in Wisconsin and from the federal government.

Ask about it

Tell us more about what you need. We answer first, then show the programs that fit, then ask a few questions to narrow it down.

Programs in Wisconsin

Wisconsin programs for this kind of help. Each agency decides who qualifies.

  • Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

    Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program

    Wisconsin Shares helps eligible families pay for child care while they work, study, or take part in approved training.

    Ways to apply:OnlinePhoneIn person

  • Wisconsin Department of Health Services

    Aging and Disability Resource Center services

    ADRCs help older adults and people with disabilities find local services and understand their options.

    Ways to apply:PhoneIn person

  • Wisconsin Department of Health Services

    Developmental disability programs

    Adults can contact their local ADRC to learn about developmental disability programs and enrollment.

    Ways to apply:PhoneIn person

  • Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

    Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

    DVR helps people with disabilities prepare for work, find jobs, and keep or advance in employment.

    Ways to apply:OnlinePhoneIn person

Checked on October 8, 2026

Federal programs

These work the same in every state. Each agency decides who qualifies.

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

    Head Start and Early Head Start

    Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.

    Find a program near you with the Head Start locator and contact it to apply.

Checked on October 9, 2026

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