TAMPA - Lutheran Services Florida Early Head Start is now accepting applications for free child care services in Hillsborough County.

LSF Early Head Start provides services for low-income families with children 6 weeks to 3 years of age in 30 Licensed Family Child Care Homes. Children must be enrolled in Early Head Start before the age of 24 months to allow for transition to Head Start at age 3.

You may be eligible for this program if you:

Applications are accepted at the LSF Early Head Start office at 3635 West Waters Ave., Tampa, FL 33614. When applying, you should bring the following documents:

For more information, call LSF Early Head Start at 813-676-9473 or 813-877-9303 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

LSF Early Head Start has 30 Licensed Family Child Care Home sites located throughout Hillsborough County. Each Family Child Care Home provides services to no more than four infants and toddlers in a family-based setting. Children enrolled in the program receive free child care from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

LSF Early Head Start is a delegate agency of and funded through Hillsborough County Head Start/Early Head Start under the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

Lutheran Services Florida is a statewide, nonprofit human services agency dedicated to helping all people in need regardless of religious affiliation, age or national origin. Headquartered in Tampa, the agency has more than 60 programs located throughout Florida. Areas of service include Refugees and Immigrants; Children, Youth and Families; Elderly/Guardianship/Adult Services; Homeless/Housing; and Disaster Response. Since it was established in 1982, LSF has helped more than 850,000 children and families. LSF’s mission is to bring healing, hope and help to people in need in the name of Jesus Christ.