Tennessee extends free child care, expands eligibility

Tennessee officials are extending free pandemic child care for essential workers until mid-August, while letting more categories of workers qualify for the program.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services says the expansion covers essential workers in the financial, religious, utility and hotel industries, among others.

The offer involves payment assistance and a network of temporary care locations. The department will arrange payments for care with licensed programs once workers are approved for the initiative. Eligible workers can apply online .

Essential workers with school-aged children can also register at the temporary and emergency child care locations set up by the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee.

Other eligible essential workers include include employees of a health care entity, law enforcement, first responders, corrections officers, military, activated National Guard, human and social services workers, postal workers, transportation employees, restaurant workers or grocery workers.