Child Care Assistance Services

Child Care Assistance Services2022-07-19T15:22:43-07:00

CDR administers the programs listed below. Each program reimburses for subsidized Child Care costs for qualifying families and has specific requirements.

Children remain eligible until their thirteenth (13th) birthday. Children identified as exceptional needs must have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and the child needs the special care of an adult in a Child Care setting as documented by a qualified professional in a written statement, up to the age of their 21st birthday.

CalWORKs Stage One

Funded by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Stage One Child Care is for a family receiving CalWORKs cash aid and the aided parent is employed or is participating in an approved Welfare-to-Work activity. Parents may receive Stage One Child Care until they are discontinued from CalWORKs cash aid or until determined to be stable by the Ventura County Human Services Agency (HSA). In Ventura County, Stage One is administered by the HSA and is contracted with CDR to provide subsidized Child Care services. A CDR Parent Services Specialist (PSS) is located at four (4) different Community Service Centers (CSC) (Oxnard, Santa Paula, Ventura, and Simi Valley).

CalWORKs Stage Two

Funded by the California Department of Social Servcies (CDSS), CalWORKs Stage Two Program reimburses subsidized Child Care costs for parents when the County CalWORKs Department determines that the parent’s work or approved work-readiness activity is stable, or the parent is transitioning off of CalWORKs cash assistance.
Parents remain eligible for services for up to twenty-four (24) months after the parent is no longer receiving or eligible to receive CalWORKs cash assistance. The parent must also be income eligible and have a qualifying need to receive services.

CalWORKs Stage Three

Funded by the CDSS, CalWORKs Stage Three Program, reimburses the Child Care costs if a parent is a former CalWORKs recipient of cash assistance and is referred in the twenty-fourth (24th) month of Stage Two Child Care. The twenty-fifth (25th) month is the only time that a former CalWORKs recipient may be enrolled into Stage Three. Therefore, if Stage Three is terminated, the former CalWORKs recipient cannot be re-enrolled into this program. Children are eligible for services until their thirteenth (13 th) birthday or identified as exceptional needs.

General Alternative Payment Program

Funded by CDSS, Alternative Payment Programs (APP) reimburses for Child Care costs for qualifying parents.
Need for Child Care must be established before a Child Care subsidy may be approved. There are very specific requirements to prove the need for the Child Care and there are very clear limits on when Child Care services may be reimbursed. CDR must document that each parent in the family meets a need criterion that precludes the provision of care and supervision of the family’s child for some part of the day including;
a. Employment or seeking employment;
b. Vocational training leading directly to a recognized trade, para profession, or profession;
c. Parental incapacity;
d. Child’s exceptional needs;
e. Seeking permanent housing for family stability;
f. Written referral from a legally qualified professional from a legal, medical, or social services agency, or emergency shelter for children at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation;
g. Written referral from a county cash-aid department, child welfare services worker, certifying that the child is receiving protective services and the family requires Child Care as part of the Family Maintenance Plan.

Family Child Care Home Education Network/Infant Toddler Program

The Infant/Toddler Program (ITP) reimburses care costs for parents of children zero (0) to five (5) years of age. Children remain eligible until their fifth (5th) birthday. Provider selection by the parent must be made from CDR’s Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN).

Early Head Start-Child Care Program

As part of President Obama’s Early Learning Initiative, Child Development Resources of Ventura County Inc. is participating in Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CC) Partnerships, which allows Early Head Start programs to partner with local Child Care centers, serving infants and toddlers from low-income families.

Emergency Foster Child Care Bridge Program

The Bridge Program aims to increase the number of foster children successfully placed in home-based family care settings, increase capacity of Child Care programs to meet the needs of foster children in their care, and maximize funding to support the Child Care needs of eligible families.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I submit the CEWL application?2024-02-08T09:49:15-08:00

Apply online at CEWL Application

I’m on cash-aid and can’t afford Child Care. How can I get some help to pay for it?2019-01-19T11:52:13-08:00

You need to get in touch with your eligibility worker with the county and notify your worker that you are in need of Child Care. Your worker should refer you to the CalWORKs Stage One Child Care contractor for the county, or if you have to apply for the Eligibility Waiting List, to Child Development Resources.

When will I know when it’s my turn?2018-12-19T18:00:53-08:00

You will be notified by phone or mail when funding becomes available. At that time your income, family size, and other information will be verified to assure that your family falls within the income rank we are currently enrolling. You will be asked to provide written documentation of your income; employment, school enrollment, and other information needed to determine eligibility for Child Care services. If we determine that your actual rank income puts your family higher than the ranks we are presently enrolling, your application will be returned to the Child Development Resources Eligibility Waiting List. You must have documented need for Child Care because you are working, seeking work, or attending school or training for all of the programs except for Head Start and State Preschool. If you do not have a valid need for Child Care at the time you are notified of enrollment, your application will be returned to the Child Development Resources Eligibility Waiting List unless you are being contacted by Head Start.

How long will I have to wait? I’ve been on your list for years. How come I’ve never been called to get on the program? What are my chances of getting my child (ren) in the program?2019-01-16T07:35:29-08:00

We cannot tell you how long you’ll have to wait on the Child Development Resources Eligibility Waiting List. When a person applies his/her name gets placed on a computerized waiting list. New families are enrolled when funding becomes available. This happens when families leave the program or when the agency receives new funds to expand the program. When we have openings (funding/money) available, the funding source requires us to enroll families starting with those with the lowest income.

Each applicant is responsible for keeping his or her application current. Failure to update will cause the family to be dropped from the Child Development Resources Eligibility Waiting List. You may call to update your information or to request an application whenever there’s a change in any of the following: Name, Address, Phone Number, Income, Marital Status, Family Size, Employment/Education.

What services does the program offer?2018-12-16T16:15:23-08:00

Eligible families who are certified for the Alternative Payment Program (APP) may choose Child Care of their choice with a licensed Child Care center or Family Child Care home, or with an unlicensed adult such as a relative, friend or neighbor who will care for the parent’s children only. Or, eligible families may be enrolled by a specific Child Care center.

In APP all Child Care providers must complete an approval process with the appropriate Alternative Payment Program (APP) agency and receive a provider agreement before they can receive reimbursement for children in their care. Children in the same family can have different Child Care providers. Parents can change Child Care arrangements with prior approval by the Parent Services Specialist. Depending on the parents’ needs, children can receive services full-time or part-time, as well as in the evening, overnight or on weekends. This program does NOT reimburse private school tuition for children attending kindergarten or elementary school. Only before-and-after school childcare, as well as full-time during off-track, summer or holiday periods can be reimbursed.

In a Head Start or center-based program, your child will be enrolled in a specific center; in some cases the child must be three or four years old. When your name is next on the Child Development Resources Eligibility Waiting List, the agency will explain which of these programs you are being enrolled in.

Who is eligible for the program?2024-02-08T10:07:08-08:00

Qualifying families with children ages 0-12 years must meet specific requirements, such as the need for child care and be income or categorically eligible.

What do I do if I disagree with an any action pertaining to Child Care services?2018-12-10T22:39:22-08:00

Refer to the direction on the most recent Notice of Action. Refer to page 16 of the Parent Handbook.

When is a doctor note required for absences?2018-12-10T22:39:22-08:00

A doctor note is required after 5 days of consecutive absences. Refer to page 12 of the Parent Handbook.

Who documents attendance on the Child Care Attendance Sheet?2018-12-10T22:39:22-08:00

Both parent or provider document attendance. A parent’s signature/date is required verifying Child Care services were used at the end of the service month. The provider’s signature/date is required after the parent verifying all information on the Child Care Attendance Sheet is accurate prior to submitting to CDR.

Missing parent or provider signature may delay reimbursement or may be considered a non-reimbursement.

View sample Child Care Attendance Sheet

Who do I contact when the Child Care Attendance Sheet is not available for my provider?2018-12-10T22:39:22-08:00

Refer to your assigned Parent Service Specialist noted on the most recent Notice of Action.

What are clients required to report to their assigned Parent Services Specialist?2018-12-10T22:39:22-08:00

Clients are no longer required to report changes within 5 days.

Clients are required to report the following:

  • Report an increase in income that exceed the exit threshold 85% of the SMI
  • Request for the Family Fee to be re-assessed when there are changes in income
  • Request an increase or decrease in Child Care services hours as needed

Clients voluntarily report the following changes:

  • Phone number or address
  • Request a change of provider
  • Change in family size
  • Changes to schedules for authorization of Child Care services

 

How long are Child Care services certified for?2018-12-10T22:39:22-08:00

Child Care services are certified for 12 months, the duration of time Child Care services is certified will be noted on the Notice of Action and Notice of Communication provided to the client and provider.

How does a provider know Child Care services are certified?2018-12-10T22:39:22-08:00

Once eligibility and need are verified CDR’s decision to approve Child Care services will be communicated through a Notice of Communication and provided to the provider.

How does a client know Child Care services are certified?2018-12-10T22:39:22-08:00

Once eligibility and need are verified CDR’s decision to approve or deny Child Care services will be communicated through a written statement referred to as Notice of Action and provided to the client.

Who do I contact to change my Child Care provider?2019-01-30T22:07:13-08:00

Contact your assigned CDR Parent Services Specialist within 5 days. See the parent services page.

My activity has changed and I need more Child Care hours. Who shall I contact?2018-12-10T22:39:23-08:00

Contact your assigned CalWORKs case manager.  Call your assigned CalWORKs case manager at the offices listed on the Child Care assistance page.

My Stage One case was terminated due to an expired Child Care referral, how can I reinstate my Child Care? Who shall I contact?2018-12-10T22:39:23-08:00

Contact your assigned CalWORKs case manager.  Call your assigned CalWORKs case manager at the offices listed on the CalWORKs Locations page.

How do I receive Stage One Child Care services if I have never received it before?2018-12-10T22:39:23-08:00

Contact the CalWORKs offices listed on the Child Care assistance page for eligibility information.

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