Last verified: October 2026
Who can get Smart Steps child care help in Knoxville?
A Knoxville family can get Smart Steps if its income is no more than 85% of Tennessee's median and the parents put in an average of 30 or more hours a week at a job or in undergraduate classes; then TDHS covers part of a licensed provider's fee for any child from six weeks old to the end of kindergarten. Up to six hours of graduate coursework can count toward the 30.
Some families owe a weekly copay based on income and household size; TDHS shares the amount after approval.
Is there a Smart Steps waitlist in Tennessee right now?
Yes. TDHS says it has started contacting families on the Smart Steps waitlist in groups and gives each contacted family 14 days to respond and apply.
Everything happens in the One DHS Customer Portal, including the renewal TDHS requires once a year.
How does Smart Steps fit with private school plans in East Tennessee?
Smart Steps covers the years EFS does not and pays for care, not tuition. A Maryville family could use it for a toddler at a licensed church center while an older child attends a registered EFS school.
Search TDHS's provider finder for centers that accept child care payment assistance before you commit.
| Smart Steps Child Care Payment Assistance is | Smart Steps Child Care Payment Assistance is not |
|---|---|
| Help with licensed child care from six weeks through kindergarten | Not tuition aid for grades 1-12 |
| Income-tested at 85% of state median income | Not copay-free for every family |
| Tied to 30 hours of work or school a week | Not instant while TDHS works its waitlist |
| Run by TDHS | Not the same as Voluntary Pre-K |