California Department of Education (CDE) Programs
California Department of Education (CDE) Programs - CalWORKs Stage 2 (C2AP), CalWORKs Stage 3 (C3AP), Alternative Payment, and Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN)
The California Department of Education (CDE) provides child care financial assistance to low income families who qualify. You may be eligible to receive funding for part or all of your child care costs if you meet the eligibility requirements and if funding is available. All required information must be verified by CCRC staff before you receive child care financial assistance.
Establishing Enrollment Eligibility
The Family Assessment & Orientation (FAO) Department determines your family's initial eligibility for a CDE program according to the following eligibility guidelines:
- A family who is currently receiving cash aid / TANF, or who has received it within the past 24 months is eligible for CalWORKs Stage 2.
- FAO verifies eligibility and schedules an orientation.
- During orientation, the parent completes the Confidential Application for Child Development Services and Certification of Eligibility (CD9600), receives an enrollment packet and a list of documents needed for certification.
- A 30-day timeline begins from the date of orientation during which time FAO may approve or deny services to the family.
- If required documents are submitted, an FAO Case Specialist helps the family through the final steps of certification and enrollment.
A family who is NOT currently receiving cash aid / TANF, received it more than two years ago, or has never received cash aid is eligible for other CDE funded programs based on availability of funding. Families must complete a Centralized Eligibility List (CEL) application to be placed on the eligibility list. When funding becomes available, FAO generates a list of families from the CEL according to CDE priorities - families with the lowest income rank (1st percentile) have priority.
- FAO mails the parent an invitation to attend an income screening to determine if the family qualifies for any current program openings. If a parent does not respond to the invitation, he / she is marked as inactive on the CEL.
- If a parent is determined to be income eligible, FAO schedules an orientation and gives the parent an enrollment packet of required parent and child care provider documentation. The parent must bring completed documentation to the scheduled appointment.
- During orientation parent and child care provider packets are reviewed. If all paperwork is complete, the parent meets with an FAO Case Specialist to enroll in the subsidy program.
Read more about CDE funded child care programs:
- Child Care Authorization Procedures
For more information regarding California Department of Education child care financial assistance programs, please review CCRC's Parent Handbook or call us at (818) 717-1000.