Active Tri-Share (Expanded 2026)
Connecticut Tri-Share Child Care Program
Connecticut's Tri-Share program has beenexpanded for 2026with a $10,000 maximum benefit, 1,000 new spaces via the Early Childhood Education Endowment, and an 8% provider rate increase to ensure quality care.
2026
Program Year
Active
Program Status
45F
Federal Credit Available
All
Employers Eligible
⚖️ How the Cost Split Works
Employer Pays
~33%
of total tuition
Connecticut Pays
~33%
state match
Parent Pays
~33%
of total tuition
📊 The Connecticut Savings Stack
Stack available Connecticut programs with the Federal 45F Tax Credit for maximum employer savings.
| Benefit Layer | Small Business (<$32M) | Large Business |
|---|---|---|
| State Program Benefit | Varies by program | Varies by program |
| Federal 45F Credit (2026) | 50% Tax Credit | 40% Tax Credit |
| Net Employer Cost | Significantly Reduced | Significantly Reduced |
💰 Real-World Employer Savings
| Cost Component | Without Program | With State + 45F Stack |
|---|---|---|
| Annual child care cost (per employee) | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| State Program Benefit | $0 | Varies |
| Employee Share | $0 | Reduced |
| Employer Share | $12,000 | Reduced |
| Federal 45F Credit (50% of employer share) | $0 | Significant savings |
| Net Employer Cost | $12,000 | Significantly Lower |
📋 All Available Programs
Federal 45F Tax Credit
Federal Tax Credit
Up to $600,000/year
All U.S. employers
Duo-Share Program
Employer-Employee Split
Flexible cost sharing
All employers — no state required
📍 Geographic Coverage
Major Cities Served
County Coverage
All 8 Connecticut counties are served. New London County is the primary Tri-Share hub. Contact CT OEC for employer enrollment.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Connecticut operates one of the most established Tri-Share pilots in the nation, administered by the Office of Early Childhood (OEC). The program splits child care costs approximately equally among the employer, the state, and the employee.
For the 2026 cycle, the maximum annual benefit has been increased to$10,000 per family, up from $6,000-$8,000 in previous years.
Families must be at or below60% of the State Median Income (SMI)for initial entry. Active recipients can remain in the program up to85% SMI.
Launched in January 2026, this program added1,000 new child care spacesacross the state and increased provider payment rates by 8% to ensure stability in the Tri-Share network.
No. To be eligible for Tri-Share, families must not currently be receiving other child care subsidies like Care 4 Kids. This ensures the program reaches the 'missing middle' — families who earn too much for traditional subsidies but still struggle with costs.
The New London County pilot, administered byLEARN, is currently the most active Tri-Share region in Connecticut. It allows employers in New London County to support as many or as few employees as they choose, with the state matching every dollar invested.
Yes. Connecticut employers participating in Tri-Share can also claim theFederal Section 45F Credit(up to 50% of qualified expenses, max $600,000/year) on their federal taxes, creating an even higher ROI on their child care investment.
📚 References & Sources
Last Updated: March 1, 2026
📋 Available Programs & Incentives
Connecticut Tri-Share Pilot
Active Tri-Share
Employer/State/Employee — up to $10,000/child/yr benefit
Eligibility: Employers in participating regions, employees at 60-85% SMI
CT Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
State Subsidy
Sliding-scale co-pay based on income
Eligibility: Families at or below 85% SMI
Federal Section 45F Credit
Federal Tax Credit
Up to 50% of employer costs (max $600K/yr)
Eligibility: All U.S. employers with qualifying child care expenses
Smart Start CT
State Program
Quality improvement grants for providers
Eligibility: Licensed CT child care providers
Duo-Share (Employer + Employee)
Employer Benefit
Flexible split — employer covers 25–75%
Eligibility: Any Connecticut employer, no state program required
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Connecticut's Tri-Share pilot provides up to $10,000 per child per year in combined employer/state/employee contributions. The program is administered through the CT Office of Early Childhood (OEC) and is currently active in select regions.
The Connecticut Tri-Share pilot serves employees at 60–85% of the State Median Income (SMI). Contact CT OEC for current income thresholds and regional availability.
Connecticut has allocated over $5 million to the Tri-Share pilot program. New London County is the primary hub, with expansion planned for other regions.
Yes — Connecticut employers participating in Tri-Share can also claim the Federal Section 45F Credit on their employer contributions, further reducing net costs.
New London is the primary hub. Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford employers are also eligible to participate.
Contact the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) at ct.gov/oec or call their employer services line. Enrollment is open to employers in participating regions.
Smart Start CT provides quality improvement grants to licensed Connecticut child care providers. It helps providers improve ratings, staff compensation, and facilities — expanding the supply of quality care for Tri-Share families.