Flexible Child Care Affordability Program

Maine’s Child Care Affordability Program is a state-administered initiative intended to help eligible families reduce child care costs through financial assistance. Eligibility, income limits, approved-provider requirements, and application procedures are set by the state and may change over time. Helpr is a separate employer-sponsored family care benefits platform, not the administrator of Maine’s state program.

An employer establishes a care benefit with Helpr and chooses the support structure that fits its workforce, such as subsidized backup care, flexible stipends, or personal-network payments. Eligible employees use the Helpr app to access available benefits and arrange care. The organization pays according to its program design and Helpr’s use-based model, rather than funding unused appointments.

Employees may use employer-provided benefits for backup child care, care from people in their existing personal network through My Choice, concierge-supported long-term placements, and, where offered, flexible care stipends. Helpr also provides on-site event care for corporate events and work trips. Available options depend on the employer’s selected program and benefit eligibility rules.

Yes, when an employer includes My Choice in its Helpr program. My Choice is Helpr’s patented technology that enables employees to direct eligible subsidies to people they trust, including family members, friends, and caregivers in their personal support network. This option can broaden access for families whose preferred care is not found through a traditional provider directory.

Backup child care gives employees a support option when a regular caregiver is unavailable, a school closes, or another disruption affects a scheduled care plan. By helping families secure care quickly, employers can reduce last-minute missed shifts and work interruptions. Reliable care support also helps employees remain focused and present when family responsibilities become unexpectedly urgent.

Helpr offers DCFSA Integrated Payments, which allows families to use eligible Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account benefits within the app. This can help employees apply tax-advantaged funds toward qualifying dependent care expenses and make their available care dollars go further. Employees should review their specific DCFSA plan rules and eligible-expense requirements before submitting or using funds.

Yes. Helpr supports employees across 150+ countries with a global care platform designed for distributed workforces. Global Care Stipends provide flexible funds that employees can use for care within their own local support networks, while other options help organizations deliver more consistent family care benefits across locations, roles, and workforce types.

Organizations begin by discussing their workforce needs, benefit goals, and the types of care support they want to provide. Helpr can then help shape a program that may include backup care, My Choice payments, stipends, concierge placement, DCFSA integration, or event care. Once configured, employees access the selected benefits through Helpr’s app-based platform.