Afterschool & Summer Programs for Single Mothers in West Virginia

Last updated: September 2025

West Virginia has several concrete ways to cover after‑school and summer time so you can work, go to school, or catch your breath. This guide puts the most important steps first, with exact amounts, income limits, phone numbers, and direct links to official pages.

Quick Help Box

• If you need something today: Call 2‑1‑1 to ask for after‑school openings, food sites, and ride help near you. You can also contact your county’s Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) office from the contact table below. (bfa.wv.gov)
• To cover child care costs for after‑school and summer: Apply for West Virginia’s Child Care Assistance Program through your local CCR&R. Use the map and phone numbers below. (bfa.wv.gov)
• For free after‑school snacks or suppers: Ask your school or community site if they run the USDA “At‑Risk Afterschool Meals” program. WV’s current reimbursement rates—so you know what sites get to serve kids at no cost—are listed below. (wvde.us)
• For summer: Check “Energy Express” (free six‑week literacy plus two meals a day), Summer Meal sites, and 2025 Summer EBT (SUN Bucks)—a $120 per child grocery benefit issued by WV DoHS. (extension.wvu.edu, wvde.us, bfa.wv.gov)
• If you’re on a waitlist: Call your CCR&R to get a temporary approval for job search or to adjust hours, and ask nearby YMCAs or Boys & Girls Clubs for sliding‑fee spots. Numbers are below. (connectccrr.org, parkersburgymca.org, ymca.org, bgcepwv.net)

Emergency Section

• Food right now: Call 2‑1‑1 and ask for “summer meals” or “afterschool meals” sites in your ZIP. You can also check the West Virginia Department of Education’s Summer Food page for current sites and contacts. (bfa.wv.gov, wvde.us)
• Safety or mental health: Call 9‑8‑8 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you or your child are in immediate danger, call 9‑1‑1.
• If benefits or EBT cards fail: Call your local DoHS office, or the WV Office of EBT (via the DoHS website) for replacements and card issues. (bfa.wv.gov)

Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

Sources for this table are linked throughout the sections below. (bfa.wv.gov, wvde.us)

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Child Care Assistance (Subsidy) — Use This First If You Pay for After‑School or Summer Care

Why start here: This is the program that pays most of your bill for licensed/registered after‑school and summer child care so you can work or attend school.

Eligibility at a glance

• Work or school requirement: You must be working, in school, in training, a foster parent, or have a CPS referral. Temporary eligibility is available for job search. (dhhr.wv.gov)
• Income limit: West Virginia sets eligibility at 85% of State Median Income (SMI) for your family size. (dhhr.wv.gov)
• Co‑pays: Families pay a small daily fee based on Federal Poverty Level (FPL) percent; WV publishes the exact daily dollar co‑pay bands and the provider payment rates. (bfa.wv.gov)
• Most families served: WV’s own data shows the program covers about 85% of child care costs on average, with parents paying under 15% via co‑pays. (dhhr.wv.gov)

2025 Income Limits — 85% of State Median Income (SMI)

These amounts are calculated using ACF’s official West Virginia SMI for FFY 2025 and WV’s 85% SMI rule. Use annual or monthly—whatever matches your pay. (liheapch.acf.gov, dhhr.wv.gov)

• How we got these: The ACF LIHEAP SMI table shows West Virginia’s 60% SMI amounts by family size. We converted to 100% SMI and then took 85% for CCAP eligibility. (For 7–8 persons, ACF’s rule adds 3% per additional member to the 6‑person factor.) (liheapch.acf.gov)

What the state pays your provider

WV publishes exact daily reimbursement rates by child age and provider type. For school‑age care, the state pays up to the amounts below; you pay the daily co‑pay from the sliding fee scale. (bfa.wv.gov)

Your daily co‑pay

WV’s 2024‑2025 sliding fee scale shows the exact daily family fee by FPL band and family size. Example for a 4‑person family:

• At 120% FPL: co‑pay is $2.75 per child per day.
• At 150% FPL: co‑pay is $3.75 per child per day.
• At 185% FPL: co‑pay is $4.75 per child per day. (The table shows more bands—see the official appendix.) (bfa.wv.gov)

See WV’s official sliding fee scale (Appendix A) and provider rate chart (Appendix B). (bfa.wv.gov)

How to apply

• Step one: Call your CCR&R office (see contact table) to request an application appointment. WV requires applying with CCR&R—applications are not on WV PATH. (connectccrr.org)
• Step two: Bring documents listed in the checklist section below. The CCR&R websites list the exact items required (ID, residency, employment or school schedule, pay stubs, child citizenship, etc.). (connectccrr.org, wvdhhr.org)
• Step three: Ask about temporary approval if you just started a job or are actively job‑seeking—WV policy allows short‑term approval in some cases. (dhhr.wv.gov)

Where to apply — CCR&R office directory

Open the CCR&R map PDF with full addresses and satellite offices. (bfa.wv.gov)

Real‑world example

• Example: A mom in Charleston with two kids uses a licensed center for after‑school—5 days per week, 20 school days in a month. She is at about 120% FPL for a family of 3. Her co‑pay is $1.75perdayperchild\ast \ast fromtheslidingscale(3‑personrow),so\ast \ast$70 a month total, while the state pays the center’s daily rate. If her child needs care past 6 pm, she asks about “non‑traditional hours” which can add $6.00 per day to the provider reimbursement. (bfa.wv.gov)

Common obstacles and fixes

• Waitlists: Ask your CCR&R for help finding another eligible provider and to keep your application active.
• New job and no pay stubs yet: Ask for the “Verification of Employment” form—your employer can complete it so your case isn’t delayed. (connectccrr.org)
• Co‑pay confusion: Ask your worker to point to your exact row and band on Appendix A based on family size and gross income. (bfa.wv.gov)

What to do if this doesn’t work

• Call another CCR&R office if phone lines are slammed; any office can help you get to the right one. Use 2‑1‑1 for evening help.
• Ask your provider if they accept subsidy and if they have a slot. If not, ask for their waitlist and a written estimate so you can compare with other sites.
• Check community options below—YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, and 21st CCLC programs may offer free or sliding‑fee after‑school.

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21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) — Free After‑School Options

What it is: Federally funded programs offering homework help, tutoring, enrichment, and family engagement at school or community sites. Programs are free. WVDE announces grantees yearly and maintains a public list of sites by county. (wvde.us)

Action first: Check your county’s sites and call.

• Find program sites: Use WVDE’s “Program Sites” list and look under your county for school names and direct phone numbers. (wvde.us)
• Recent awardees for 2025: Greenbrier, Morgan, Preston, Tucker County Schools plus Playmates, Save the Children, World Vision, and the Partnership of African American Churches—so expect more sites in those areas. (wvde.us)

Reality check: Slots can fill fast, especially at elementary schools. Some sites prioritize students with the greatest need or referrals.

What to do if this doesn’t work: Ask your school’s counselor about transportation to a nearby site, or combine 21st CCLC with Child Care Assistance for non‑school days and school breaks. If no site exists in your area, ask your principal about adding one next funding cycle and sign up for alerts on the WVDE 21st CCLC page. (wvde.us)

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Energy Express — Free Summer Learning With Two Meals Daily

Why it matters: It’s a statewide, free, six‑week program for rising 1st–6th graders, focusing on reading, run by WVU Extension with AmeriCorps members. Kids get two meals daily during the session. (extension.wvu.edu)

• 2025 dates: June 16 – July 25, 2025. (extension.wvu.edu)
• How to enroll: Contact your local WVU Extension office. Site locations vary by county each year. (extension.wvu.edu)
• Deadlines: Applications open in November with a priority deadline of March 1 and a final target of May 1 for AmeriCorps roles. Parent enrollment windows vary by county—call Extension early. (extension.wvu.edu)
• Proven results: 2024 impact highlights included 48 sites in 26 counties, 88% of children maintaining or increasing reading levels, and 55,288 meals served. (extension.wvu.edu)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Ask your county Extension office about other WVU youth programs or camps and whether they accept Child Care Assistance. Pair Energy Express mornings with afternoon care through a subsidized provider if you work full‑time.

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Free Meals After School and During Summer

At‑Risk Afterschool Meals (CACFP) and NSLP Afterschool Snack

• What it is: Free snacks and often a full supper at eligible after‑school programs in areas where at least 50% of students qualify for free or reduced‑price meals. No parent application at the site. (wvde.us, fns.usda.gov)
• WV 2025‑2026 reimbursement rates to sites (so parents know meals should be free to kids):
  • Snack free rate $1.26
  • Supper free rate $4.60 (wvde.us)
• NSLP Afterschool Snack: Schools may serve a free snack in area‑eligible sites; otherwise snacks vary by student eligibility. Ask your school nutrition office. (wvde.us)

What to do if this doesn’t work: If your child’s school has no program, ask the principal if they can join CACFP or NSLP snack. Community groups can apply to sponsor sites via WVDE Child Nutrition. (wvde.us)

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

• Free summer meals: Open sites across WV serve free meals to kids 18 and under. In 2025, WVDE noted more than 400 locations statewide. (wvde.us)
• 2025 WV per‑meal rates for sponsors:
  • Breakfast – rural or self‑prep $3.0875\ast \ast –other\ast \ast$3.0300
  • Lunch or Supper – rural or self‑prep $5.4025\ast \ast –other\ast \ast$5.3150
  • Snack – rural or self‑prep $1.2800\ast \ast –other\ast \ast$1.2500 (wvde.us)
• Find sites: Start at WVDE’s Summer Food page for sponsor contacts and site lists each summer. (wvde.us)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Ask a nearby church, library, or parks program to partner with the local school system as a meal site. WVDE recruits new sponsors each spring. (wvde.us)

Summer EBT “SUN Bucks” — Grocery Benefits

• Benefit amount: $120 per child for summer groceries. West Virginia DoHS confirmed the state is issuing Summer EBT in 2025. (bfa.wv.gov)
• Eligibility paths: Children may be eligible automatically through SNAP, TANF, certain Medicaid categories, foster/homeless/migrant/runaway/Head Start status, or by qualifying for free or reduced‑price school meals in the 2024‑2025 year. There is also a WV Summer EBT application path if your child attends an NSLP school and meets income rules. (wvde.us)
• How to get it: Check your mail or your EBT account, and watch the WVDE/DoHS pages for application windows if your child wasn’t auto‑matched. (wvde.us)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Call your county schools’ child nutrition office to verify free/reduced status, then contact DoHS BFA if your child seems to qualify but didn’t receive a card. (wvde.us)

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Community Programs with After‑School Care or Scholarships

• YMCA locations: Many YMCAs run school‑age after‑school with sliding fees and accept subsidy. Example—YMCA of Parkersburg lists daily rates ($14\ast \ast member–\ast \ast$20 non‑member) and accepts subsidy; YMCA numbers for Beckley, Parkersburg, Tri‑County (Scott Depot), and Wheeling are below. Always ask for financial assistance. (parkersburgymca.org, ymca.org)
• Boys & Girls Clubs: The Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle operates clubs and accepts youth after school with modest fees or scholarships. Offices and phones are listed below. (bgcepwv.net)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Ask these programs for scholarship forms, proof of income needed, and whether they are a 21st CCLC partner (free).

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Tables You Can Scan Fast

Program Snapshot Table

Citations per program section above. (wvde.us)

2025 Eligibility — 85% SMI Limits (Annual and Monthly)

Method and sources noted above. (liheapch.acf.gov, dhhr.wv.gov)

Provider Payment Snapshot (School‑Age)

Source: WV Appendix B rates effective October 1, 2024. (bfa.wv.gov)

Meal Program Snapshot

Rates come from WVDE’s 2025‑2026 CACFP page and 2025 SFSP page. (wvde.us)

CCR&R Directory — Keep These Numbers

Full PDF with addresses and satellite offices is linked above. (bfa.wv.gov)

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Application Checklist

• Proof of identity and residency: ID and a recent utility bill or lease.
• Proof of income: Last 30 days of pay stubs, or a Verification of Employment form if you just started. Include any child support or other income. (connectccrr.org)
• School or training schedule: If you’re in college or training, bring your class schedule. (connectccrr.org)
• Child documents: Birth certificate or proof of citizenship for each child in care. (connectccrr.org)
• Provider info: Name, license number, hours, and daily rate so the CCR&R can issue the certificate correctly.
• Back‑up plan: A second provider you’d accept if your first choice is full.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing documents: Delays happen when a pay stub or schedule is missing. Bring everything on the checklist.
• Wrong income math: WV counts gross income. Double‑check before your appointment.
• Not asking about add‑ons: If your provider serves you after 6 pm or on weekends, ask about non‑traditional hours add‑on so the site gets paid correctly. (bfa.wv.gov)
• Forgetting to renew: Reviews happen about every six months. Mark your calendar and turn in updates early. (wvdhhr.org)

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Realistic Timelines

• CCR&R appointment availability: Varies by county; call early in the week.
• Approval: Expect around 2–4 weeks if all documents are complete; faster if your employer verification is ready. Ask your CCR&R what they’re currently seeing.
• 21st CCLC enrollment: Many sites enroll at back‑to‑school and again in winter. Call in August and January.
• Energy Express: Sites are posted by local Extension offices in late spring; enroll as soon as your county opens registration. (extension.wvu.edu)

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Resources by Region

• Kanawha Valley: Connect CCR&R 304‑414‑4488; Partnership of African American Churches 21st CCLC at MLK and KIRSA Centers. (bfa.wv.gov, wvde.us)
• Eastern Panhandle: MountainHeart North 304‑257‑9375; Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle 304‑263‑2696. (bfa.wv.gov, bgcepwv.net)
• Mid‑Ohio Valley: Choices CCR&R 304‑485‑2668; YMCA of Parkersburg after‑school info 304‑485‑5585 ext. 218. (bfa.wv.gov, parkersburgymca.org)
• Northern Panhandle/North‑Central: Child Care Resource Center 304‑232‑1603; YMCA of Wheeling 304‑242‑8086. (bfa.wv.gov, ymca.org)
• Southern WV – Beckley/Bluefield/New River: MountainHeart South 304‑682‑8271; YMCA of Southern West Virginia 304‑252‑0715. (bfa.wv.gov, ymca.org)
• Potomac Highlands/Mon Forest counties: MountainHeart North 304‑257‑9375; WVDE 21st CCLC lists for Tucker, Preston, Barbour have active sites to call. (bfa.wv.gov, wvde.us)

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Diverse Communities

• LGBTQ+ single mothers: Ask your CCR&R to match you with providers trained in inclusive practices and ask 21st CCLC sites about anti‑bullying protocols. The West Virginia Statewide Afterschool Network (WVSAN) offers statewide quality standards and PD that include whole‑child wellness—ask sites if staff follow them. (extension.wvu.edu)
• Single mothers with disabilities or with disabled children: Tell CCR&R about any special needs—WV pays a special needs add‑on of $3 per day to help providers meet needs. Also ask for transportation options to after‑school. (bfa.wv.gov)
• Veteran single mothers: Ask your local VA and YMCA about fee assistance or caregiver respite options. Use Child Care Assistance and combine with 21st CCLC if your child’s school offers it. (bfa.wv.gov)
• Immigrant or refugee single moms: If your child attends an NSLP school and qualifies for free/reduced meals, they may be eligible for Summer EBT—check the WVDE page for details and the application path. CCR&R offices can help explain documents needed for subsidy. (wvde.us)
• Tribal citizens: If you have ties to tribal services, ask about any tribal CCDF supports in addition to WV’s program. Pair with 21st CCLC or Boys & Girls Clubs where available. (wvde.us)
• Rural single moms with limited access: Use Energy Express for summer, and ask WVDE about SFSP “rural” sites that can operate with more flexible service models—rates are slightly higher to support rural service. (wvde.us)
• Single fathers: All programs listed are open to any eligible caregiver—use this same guide. (bfa.wv.gov)
• Language access: Ask CCR&R for language assistance at appointments. 21st CCLC grantees must engage families—ask for translated materials where needed. (wvde.us)

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Ten West Virginia‑Specific FAQs

• Q — Do I apply for child care help on WV PATH?

  A — No. Apply with your local CCR&R office by phone or in person. The CCR&R map and numbers are in this guide. (bfa.wv.gov)

• Q — What income counts for Child Care Assistance?

  A — Gross household income before taxes, compared to 85% of State Median Income for your family size. (dhhr.wv.gov)

• Q — How much will I pay out of pocket?

  A — A daily co‑pay based on your FPL band and family size—see WV’s sliding fee scale (Appendix A). Providers are paid the state rate plus any add‑ons. (bfa.wv.gov)

• Q — My child’s school doesn’t have after‑school. What now?

  A — Check WVDE’s 21st CCLC county list for nearby sites, ask your school to partner, and use subsidy to enroll with a licensed provider. (wvde.us)

• Q — Are after‑school meals free?

  A — Yes at eligible sites. CACFP At‑Risk programs can serve free snacks and supper; NSLP Afterschool Snack may be free in area‑eligible schools. (wvde.us)

• Q — What is Summer EBT and how much is it in 2025?

  A — It’s $120 per child in summer grocery benefits. WV is issuing Summer EBT in 2025. (bfa.wv.gov)

• Q — How do I find summer meal sites?

  A — Check WVDE’s Summer Food page for current sites and sponsor contacts in your county. (wvde.us)

• Q — I work evenings. Will subsidy still help?

  A — Yes. WV pays a non‑traditional hours add‑on of $6 per qualifying day to your provider. (bfa.wv.gov)

• Q — Can I get help while I’m looking for work?

  A — WV allows temporary eligibility for job search under certain rules. Ask CCR&R for current guidance. (dhhr.wv.gov)

• Q — Do Energy Express sites provide food?

  A — Yes—two meals each program day. Sessions run June 16 – July 25, 2025 in many counties; contact WVU Extension locally. (extension.wvu.edu)

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Action Plan You Can Use This Week

• Call your CCR&R and book the earliest appointment. Take the checklist items.
• Ask your school if they host 21st CCLC or NSLP Afterschool Snack. If yes, enroll now.
• Find meal support: Check with your school/site for CACFP supper, and save the WVDE Summer Food link for June.
• Mark Energy Express dates and call Extension to ask if your county hosts a site this summer.
• If costs still pinch: Call the nearest YMCA or Boys & Girls Club for scholarship info and combine with subsidy.

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About This Guide

Compiled by the ASingleMother.org Editorial Team: This guide uses official sources from West Virginia Department of Human Services, USDA, HUD, and established nonprofits.

This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards: See our Editorial Policy and Research Methodology which emphasizes primary government sources, link verification, cross‑checks, and timely updates.

Verification notes: Income limits and rates are drawn from:

• WV DoHS statements on CCAP eligibility at 85% SMI and temporary job‑search eligibility. (dhhr.wv.gov)
• ACF SMI tables for FFY 2025 (used to calculate the 85% SMI dollar amounts). (liheapch.acf.gov)
• WV Appendix A and B for co‑pay sliding fee amounts and provider rates effective October 1, 2024. (bfa.wv.gov)
• WVDE for 21st CCLC program sites, CACFP and SFSP rates, and Summer Food details. (wvde.us)
• WVDE and DoHS for Summer EBT 2025 details and the $120 per child amount. (wvde.us, bfa.wv.gov)

Last verified: September 2025, next review April 2026.

Contact for corrections: info@asinglemother.org — we aim to update verified corrections within 48 hours per our policy. (bfa.wv.gov)

Disclaimer

General information only: This guide is not legal advice or a guarantee of benefits.

Program changes: Rules, rates, and site lists can change quickly. Always verify details with the agency or program before you decide.

Security: For your privacy, avoid sharing full Social Security numbers or full EBT card details over email or text. Use official phone lines or secure portals linked in this guide.

Health and safety: For medical or mental health emergencies, call 9‑1‑1 or 9‑8‑8 right away.

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Source Links You Can Click

• WV DoHS — Child Care Policy and Appendices — eligibility fee scale and provider rates. (bfa.wv.gov)
• CCR&R Map and Contacts (PDF) — call your nearest office. (bfa.wv.gov)
• WVDE — 21st CCLC Program Sites by County — free after‑school options. (wvde.us)
• WVDE — CACFP Reimbursement Rates 2025‑26 — for after‑school snacks/suppers. (wvde.us)
• WVDE — Summer Food Service Program and 2025 Rates — find summer meal help. (wvde.us)
• WVDE — Summer EBT and WV DoHS Summer EBT Announcement — $120 per child in 2025. (wvde.us, bfa.wv.gov)
• WVU Extension — Energy Express — 2025 dates and county contacts. (extension.wvu.edu)
• WVSAN — WV Afterschool Network — statewide program quality standards and mapping. (extension.wvu.edu)
• ACF — West Virginia SMI (FFY 2025) — used to calculate 85% SMI dollar limits. (liheapch.acf.gov)
• YMCA of Parkersburg — After‑School Program info — example local program that accepts subsidy. (parkersburgymca.org)
• Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle — Contact — club sites and phones. (bgcepwv.net)
• WVDE — Child and Adult Care Food Program hub — how CACFP works in WV. (wvde.us)

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What to do next: Start with your CCR&R call, lock in a spot, and layer free meals and summer options so your kids are safe, fed, learning—and you can keep moving forward.

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🏛️More West Virginia Resources for Single Mothers

Explore all assistance programs in 34 categories available in West Virginia

• 📋 Assistance Programs
• 💰 Benefits and Grants
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Child Support
• 🌾 Rural Single Mothers Assistance
• ♿ Disabled Single Mothers Assistance
• 🎖️ Veteran Single Mothers Benefits
• 🦷 Dental Care Assistance
• 🎓 Education Grants
• 📊 EITC and Tax Credits
• 🍎 SNAP and Food Assistance
• 🔧 Job Training
• ⚖️ Legal Help
• 🧠 Mental Health Resources
• 🚗 Transportation Assistance
• 💼 Job Loss Support & Unemployment
• ⚡ Utility Assistance
• 🥛 WIC Benefits
• 🏦 TANF Assistance
• 🏠 Housing Assistance
• 👶 Childcare Assistance
• 🏥 Healthcare Assistance
• 🚨 Emergency Assistance
• 🤝 Community Support
• 🎯 Disability & Special Needs Support
• 🛋️ Free Furniture & Household Items
• 🍼 Free Baby Gear & Children's Items
• 🎒 Free School Supplies & Backpacks
• 🏡 Home Buyer Down Payment Grants
• 🤱 Postpartum Health & Maternity Support
• 👩‍💼 Workplace Rights & Pregnancy Protection
• 💼 Business Grants & Assistance
• 🛡️ Domestic Violence Resources & Safety
• 💻 Digital Literacy & Technology Assistance
• 🤱 Free Breast Pumps & Maternity Support
• 📈 Credit Repair & Financial Recovery