Childcare Scholarships (Cabrini Fund)

Born in Italy, the youngest of thirteen children, Maria Francesca Cabrini was drawn to the religious life at an early age. By the age of thirty, she founded the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Then encouraged by Pope Leo XIII she went to New York to care for new immigrants. in 1889 Mother Cabrini opened an orphanage on the banks of the Hudson River. For the next 28 years, she traveled throughout the USA opening schools, orphanages and hospitals. Countless children and families have been cared for by the institutions she founded.
Eight years before her death, Mother Cabrini became an American Citizen making her the first American to be canonized a Saint in 1946. The Cabrini Childcare Scholarship Fund is dedicated in her memory.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. - Matthew 10:14-16

Quality Child Care for Low Income Families

The Cabrini Fund provides scholarships to help working families with the cost of licensed child care.  Established in 2006, this program is named in honor of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, 1850Ca-1917.

Cabrini Fund Program History
The Cabrini Fund (Catholic Charities funded Child Care Scholarships) was implemented to continue the commitment of the Diocese of Providence to affordable, quality child care for low and modest income families.  Implemented in July 2006, the program began enrolling families one year after the closing of four long-time Diocesan operated child care centers in Providence (2), Lincoln and Newport. Under the Cabrini Fund, eligible families now choose their own child care provider from close to 2000 licensed providers located throughout RI.

Cabrini Scholarships pay part of the cost (up to $100/month) of licensed child care for working families with children twelve years of age or younger.  Payments are made directly to the child care provider.  Providers must be licensed/certified by the State of Rhode Island and may be Child Care Centers, Home Based Providers or Before/After School programs.

The Fiscal Year 2007 Diocesan budget appropriated $237,000 of Catholic Charities Funds for the Cabrini Fund (line item “Day Care Vouchers”).  Accounting for the staggered enrollment during the first year of this program, it is estimated that these funds will support up to 200 families in FY 2007.  The cost per family, for a full 12 months of benefits under the Cabrini Program averages $1,200 per family.

How to Apply
An application must be completed and documentation of employment and income are required. To begin the Cabrini Fund application process:

• Contact us at (401) 421-7833 x 213 for an application that we can mail, email or fax to you.
• You may also download the Cabrini Fund application on this page (under documents) and submit the completed form to our office.

What are the application guidelines?
This program is for low-income, working families who are paying for licensed, certified childcare for children under the age of 12.

Families must:

• Be working a minumum of 25 hours a week.
• Be residents of Rhode Island or be registered in a Catholic parish in Rhode Island
• Be using licensed, certified childcare or before/after school program
• Have a total family income at or below 75 percent of Rhode Island median income. 

State of RI, Dept. of Human Services - CCAP Program (Child Care Assistance Program)
Bright Stars website - to assist families in finding quality child care

One Cathedral Square, Providence, RI 02903