What is Child Care Subsidy?

CCR operates several programs that are designed for eligible parents in our area to help pay for the cost of child care in certain situations, they are called 'child care subsidy programs'. The subsidy programs operate in accordance with rules set by the State Department of Education and the federal government and operate within a specific budget. All of the subsidy programs are parental choice - which means parents choose their own child care.

How Do Child Care Subsidies Work?

CCR receives many calls from parents who need help paying for their child care. Many of the parents are referred to us for help by child care providers and other family assistance agencies. We ask the parents questions that determine their eligibility and need, those that are eligible get placed on a waiting list until there is an opening. When the funding is available we will then contact parents on the list, verify the eligibility information and if still eligible, arrange to meet with parent and their provider to arrange a care payment and schedule.

Who Do I Call and What Do I Need When I Call?

To find out if you are eligible to receive help paying for child care, call CCR at 754-1075 (Calaveras) or 223-1624 (Amador). In order to be eligible for assistance, you must meet one of the following:

• Parents must have a reason they need child care. That means they are working, in a training program, going to school or have a reason they cannot care for their own children.
• The family income must be under a certain amount. In California the amount changes the more people you have in your family. When you call, you must be able to give us an average income amount for your family, so you may want to have pay-stubs on hand.

Unfortunately, the demand for assistance exceeds the available spaces. CCR must keep a waiting list of families that need help when the program is full.

How Can I Find Out if I'm Eligible and get on the Waiting List?

When you call CCR and request to be put on the subsidy waiting list, A CCR staff person will ask you questions about your family, phone numbers, income, work or school schedule. If you are eligible, all this information is stored in a computer and you are given an Eligibility Rank. This rank determines where you are on the waiting list.

What Does a Rank Mean?

There are 75 ranks based on income and family size, and there may be any number of families in each rank. When we enroll families into the program we are required to begin at the lowest rank, (zero), and move up the ranks until the program is full.

How Long is the Waiting List?

There are often over 100 families on the waiting list. But remember, you are not placed at the end of the list. You are given a rank which may put you ahead of other families with fewer members and higher incomes. And, many families on our waiting list cannot be reached when we go to enroll them. They may have moved or don't need child care when we call. So it's always best to get on the list and call anytime you have a change in income, family size, or need.

When Will I Be Called?

There is no guarantee that CCR will ever call you to enroll on the program. Why? We can only serve a limited number of children. When the program is full, we must wait until families leave the program before we can enroll new families. Sometimes people stay on the waiting list for a long time.

Do I Have to Call You?

Yes! You need to call and keep us updated when there are changes in your address, phone number, income, or family size. Once you are placed on the waiting list, we will keep your name for six months. If you haven't updated with us in those six months, we will remove your name from the list at the end of six months.

How Do You Let Me Know I Can Get On the Program?

When openings/funding is available we are ready to enroll families in our program, we may call you to make sure your information on the waiting list is correct, current and that you still have a need for child care. If you are determined to be eligible for the program someone will again call to make an appointment to enroll you on the program.

Once on a program, parents will be required to meet the conditions of the program (submit copies of check stubs, show educational records, and report cards, etc.) and inform our offices of any changes to their schedules.

Providers will need to maintain and submit attendance/claim sheets monthly and inform CCR of any changes of the families schedule. Checks for reimbursement for thier services are sent on the 15th of the month following care.

The Eligibility Wait is Too Long or I am Ineligible, How Can I Get the Help I Need?

All our Child Care Subsidy funds are provided by the state and federal government. If you need child care assistance in order to work or go to school and cannot get help, then your state and federal representatives need to hear from you. They vote to approve child care funding. Call us for more information on how you can contact your public officials with your concerns.