Krystal T. - Parent

Krystal works primarily from home, which allows her to be with her children throughout the day. She has six children spanning three different age groups—teenagers, elementary-aged kids, and toddlers. The youngest four are home with her full-time.

Despite applying for state child care assistance multiple times in both Massachusetts and Connecticut, Krystal has continuously faced barriers. Each time, she was told her family’s income was too high to qualify. Even when she did find child care providers she trusted, many refused to accept state vouchers due to inadequate tuition reimbursements.

She specifically sought care for her two babies and one toddler, but the caregiver she found couldn’t afford to accept state vouchers. At the same time, Krystal wanted to ensure her children were in a safe, comfortable environment and preferred to keep them out of traditional school settings. With limited options, she made the difficult decision to hire an in-home provider to care for her children while she works.

However, this solution comes at a steep cost—60% of her salary goes directly toward paying the in-home provider. The financial strain is significant, yet Krystal feels she has no other choice if she wants to balance work and ensure quality care for her children.