Child care options made more affordable

Quality child care can open doors for children and families. Options for Learning helps eligible families connect with subsidized child care programs that can reduce costs and make it easier to work, attend school, or pursue family goals. Our team is here to help you understand your options, determine eligibility, and take the next step with confidence. 

CalWORKs child care programs — Stage 1, 2 and 3

The CalWORKs child care program helps families access immediate, short-term child care while the parent works or participates in welfare-to-work activities. The purpose of the program is to support parents as they transition to the stable, long-term child care necessary for the family to leave and remain off aid. The CalWORKS child care program is administered in three different stages and is defined as follows:

• Stage 1: Family is receiving cash aid and in an approved welfare-to-work activity;

• Stage 2: Families who are currently receiving cash aid from the Department of Social Services (DPSS) and are participating in an approved welfare-to-work activity OR families transferring from CalWORKs Stage 1 program due to reaching the Stage 1 program time limit OR families who previously received cash aid within 24 months;

• Stage 3: Families who are receiving CalWORKs Stage 1 or Stage 2 and are reaching their 24-month cash aid time limit. These families are transferred into C3AP on the first day following their 24-month time limit date.

Alternative Payment Program

The Alternative Payment Program (APP) offers a range of child care arrangements, including licensed family child care, center-based care, and exempt providers for families who meet income and eligibility guidelines. When funds are available, families select a child care provider of their choice for which services will be reimbursed.

Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN)

The Family Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN) focuses on promoting quality early learning environments in licensed family child care homes. If an enrolled subsidized family chooses a licensed home in this program, the FCCHEN provider must first meet standards set by Desired Results; Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale (FCCERS).

Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for foster children (Bridge Program)

Eligible families may receive a time-limited child care voucher to help cover child care costs for foster children from birth through age 5. Child care cost reimbursement for Bridge families may also include siblings of the foster child. This also includes foster children with exceptional needs and severely disabled children up to age 21. Referrals to the Child Care Bridge Program must be made through the resource family’s children’s social worker (CSW) at DCFS.