What is Subsidized Child Care?
Subsidized child care is assistance to income eligible families to cover part or all of their child care costs, depending on their financial and child care needs. The Child Development Division of the California Department of Education provides funds to organizations that manage child care centers and other programs that help low income families obtain care for their children while they are working, enrolled in a study program, incapacitated, or seeking housing or employment.
Who is eligible for subsidized services?
To be eligible for state subsidized child care you must:
· Live OR work in Monterey County
· Have an adjusted family income that is less than 75% of the state median income for your family size
· Have a qualifying need for child care, OR
· Be homeless
What is a qualifying need for child care?
· Employment or seeking employment
· Enrolled in a certified training, technical or academic program
· Seeking permanent housing, if homeless
· Be medically incapacitated (which precludes caring for your children)
· Referred by the Department of Social Services, Child Protective Services OR
· Have a child at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation (as referred by a
qualified licensed professional)
How can I get subsidized child care?
First you must complete the Monterey County Centralized Eligibility List Application Form located in the "Search for Childcare" section.
After we receive your information we will let you know if you qualify for subsidized child care and your family will be added to the MCCEL list. All state subsidized child care programs in Monterey County access the MCCEL to find children when they have vacancies in their programs.
How are enrolling families prioritized?
Enrollment priority is given to siblings of children already receiving subsidized child care, referrals from Child Protective Services (CPS), and children identified as at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation. Siblings of CPS referrals must meet eligibility and need criteria to be enrolled, if not CPS eligible. Second priority is given to income eligible families, by MCCEL ranking.
How does the Monterey County Centralized Eligibility List (MCCEL) work?
Once your family is determined eligible, your information is entered in the MCCEL, a single database list where all applying families are ranked by need. The database compares your need with all other applying families on the MCCEL and a dynamic placement is assigned to your family. Placement on the list is not fixed and may change when new families are entered. When participating child care programs have an opening, their staff will contact the parent of the first ranked family to initiate the enrollment process. It is important for parents to know that the MCCEL system is only the keeper of the applicants’ information; we do not offer direct services to the families and we do not know when openings will occur at the participating programs.
What information do I need to provide when contacting the MCCEL?
You will be asked to complete the MCCEL application form with your family’s information, your income, and the reason for seeking subsidized care.
What income sources count?
Wages, salaries, profit from self-employment, child support, general support, cash aid (TANF or CALWORKS), social security, survivor benefits, worker's compensation, disability insurance payments, pensions or annuities, and veteran's benefits.
What can I do to improve my chances of receiving services sooner?
The most important thing you can do is to keep your family information current. You are required to contact MCCEL at least once every six months to keep your application active. You must contact the MCCEL when there are any changes, including a new address, new phone number, change in employment, or family size.
What are my options for subsidized child care?
When applying for subsidized care, parents can request services from a specific child care agency by selecting that agency as their "preferred provider" in the MCCEL application form. If you wish to have your child cared for in your own home or in a family day care home, you can select the option of "Alternative Payment Program" as your preferred provider.
What is the Alternative Payment Program?
The Alternative Payment (AP) Program is funded through the California Department of Education, Child Development Division, to provide childcare subsidies that pay all or a portion of costs of child care for families who are income eligible and have a qualifying need for child care.
The AP program is a "parent's choice" program meaning enrolled families can choose the child care provider that best fits their needs and the needs of their children. In Monterey County this program is administered by Mexican American Opportunity Foundation.
There are several types of child care providers in the AP program. These include:
· Licensed Child Care Centers
· Family Child Care Homes
· License-exempt Programs
· Exempt Providers
· Licensed Child Care Centers
What is a Licensed Child Care Center?
A child care center that may be licensed for 4 different programs, including:
- Infant care (birth up to two years of age)
- Preschool (two years to kindergarten)
- School age (kindergarten to age 13)
- Mildly ill (non-medical care to mildly ill children of all ages)
What is a Licensed Family Child Care Home?
There are 2 types of Family Child Care Homes.
Small Family Child Care Homes are licensed to care for up to eight children—two of the children must be at least six years old and no more than two infants under two years of age are cared for when more than six children are present; or six children with a limit of three infants under two years of age; or four infants only. This count includes the provider's children under the age of ten.
Large Family Child Care Homes are licensed to care for up to fourteen children—two of the children must be at least six years old and no more than two infants are cared for when more than six children are present; or twelve children with a limit of four infants under two years of age. This count includes the provider's children under the age of ten. A second caregiver must be present whenever more than eight children are present. Family Child Care Home providers must attend 15 hours of health and safety training and pass a home safety inspection.
What is a License-Exempt Center?
These programs are exempt from licensing regulations for the following reasons:
- Programs are operated on public school sites
- Programs are located at a private elementary school that cares for more than 95 percent of their own children
- Programs are operated on Federal property
What is an License-Exempt Provider?
An exempt provider is an individual who provides care for the children of only one family other than their own and is not required to be licensed by Community Care Licensing. These providers may be a family member, friend, or neighbor and depending on their relationship to your child, may need to be Trustlined in order to check for a criminal background and child abuse record.
Tell me about State Child Care and Development Programs
- State Preschools offer a part-day comprehensive educational, health and social service program for three and four year olds. Many programs are bilingual. Public schools and private non profit agencies operate State Preschool programs. Eligible families have an income less than 75% of the state median income = $3769 per month before deductions, for a family of three in 2007-2008.
- General Child Care and Development Programs are located in centers and provide a wide range of services for children of low income families. Care can be provided for infants through children 12 years old, 2 to 10 hours per day, 5 days a week. Center programs provide an educational environment for children with age appropriate developmental activities, nutrition programs, health screening, parent education activities, staff development, referrals to social services agencies and more.
What questions should I be prepared to answer when calling for a licensed child care referral from the Resources and Referral Agency?
· Decide where you would like child care - near your home? School? Work?
· Do you need full time or part time care?
· Do you need any special services such as transportation to school or evening hours?
· What days do you need care - weekdays and/or weekends?
· Does your child have any special needs?
· What is the name of the closest public elementary school where care is needed?
Be sure to have paper and pencil ready to write down referral names and numbers. Schedule uninterrupted time for a quality referral call.
How do I measure quality child care in a family child care environment or child care center?
The ten indicators of quality child care:
1. The health and safety of children and adults are met. Licensing requirements are achieved.
2. The nutritional needs of children are met daily on an individual basis.
3. Interactions between children and adults are positive and provide opportunities for young children to develop an understanding of self and others. Interactions provide opportunities for the development of social skills, intellectual growth and self-concept.
4. The daily curriculum encourages children to be actively involved in the learning process, to experience a variety of appropriate activities and materials, and to pursue their own interests. The curriculum supports school readiness and success.
5. The indoor and outdoor physical environment supports growth and development through opportunities for safe exploration, active learning and play.
6. The program is efficiently and effectively administered with attention to the needs and goals of children, families and staff.
7. The program is staffed at an appropriate level to promote the physical, social, emotional, cognitive and creative development of each child. The appropriate ratio of adults to children and teacher to child is maintained.
8. Teachers/staff are trained in child development.
9. Communication with parents is ongoing. Parents are encouraged to be observers and participants in the program.
- Regular evaluation of the program is conducted to ensure the quality of care.
What should a parent look for in a child care provider's records?
The licensing requirements for a Center based or Family based Childcare Provider include:
· Admission policies
· Daily practices and procedures
· Emergency plans
· Meals and nutrition
· Background Clearances
· Staff accreditation and qualifications
To obtain information on possible complaints about a particular provider, or violations, contact the Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Office at (408) 277-1286.
What can I do for child care while I am waiting for a subsidized program to call me?
Contact the Monterey County Child Care Resources and Referral Program at (800) 339-9306 or (831) 757-0775. They can provide you with a list of private child care providers in your area.