Subsidized child care is assistance to low-income families to cover all or part of their child care costs.
If you are working, enrolled in school, or participating in an approved welfare-to-work training plan, you may be eligible for financial assistance with your child care costs. There are a wide variety of programs that provide subsidized child care services for eligible families.
Subsidized child care programs offer care for children, birth through twelve years of age. Some are full-day child care and development programs, some are part-day educational enrichment programs, and some pay for care provided by family, friends or neighbors.
You are eligible for subsidized child care if:
• You have children under age 13
• You are working
• You are in a training program
• You are going to school
• You have a reason why you cannot care for your own children
• Your family income meets eligibility requirements
• You want your 3-5 year-old child to attend a state preschool
4. How Do I Get On the Waiting List for Child Care?
Child Action, Inc. maintains a list of families who are eligible for subsidized child care programs in Sacramento County. This list is called the “Centralized Eligibility List” (or CEL). By signing up on the CEL, child care programs that meet your specified needs can access your information when they have openings in their programs.
There are two ways to apply to get on the Centralized Eligibility List (CEL):
Online: If you have access to a computer, you can submit an application through the website, https://wp.childaction.org/cel/
Follow the instructions to begin the application process. If you fill out the application on-line, you will be able to update your own information using your log-in and password.
Phone: Call (916) 369-0191 and speak with a Child Action, Inc. Information Specialist, who will assist you with determining your eligibility and filling out the CEL application. They can mail or fax a CEL application to you, or can help you fill out the online CEL application over the phone.
5. How Long Will I Have to Wait Before I Get Help?
There are thousands of eligible families that are on the Centralized Eligibility List, so there is no guarantee that you will receive financial assistance. However, the first step in receiving help paying for child care is to submit an application.
After you submit your application it is important to keep your information up-to-date. If your address, phone number, income, or family size changes it may affect your eligibility. You can update your information via the website https://wp.childaction.org/cel/, mail in an updated CEL application form (available on the website), or call a Child Action, Inc. Information Specialist at (916) 369-0191 to update your information over the phone.
6. Speaking Up for Child Care
The most effective way to make sure that there is adequate child care assistance for families is to communicate your needs to your elected officials. Parent Voices, a parent-led group, helps parents advocate and speak out on child care issues.
For information about Parent Voices or to receive a copy of a publication on advocacy, call Child Action, Inc. at (916) 369-0191 and ask for Handout #9: Speaking Up For Children. You can also ask for a grievance if you disagree with what Child Action has done in your case. If you disagree with the result of the grievance you can appeal to the State Department of Education.
7. Child Care and Development Programs
Full or part-day child care programs are available in Sacramento County for children from low-income families who need child care in order to work, attend school or participate in job training programs.
• Child Development Programs offer full-day child care for children whose families are working or enrolled in school or training programs.
• State Preschool Programs offer part-day preschool and parenting education to low-income children and families.
• Head Start Programs offer full and part-day preschool and parenting education to low-income children and families.
• Alternative Payment Programs provide child care payments for children from low income families who are working, enrolled in school or training programs or in need of protective services.
• Campus Child Care is provided at the Los Rios Community College District campuses for children or enrolled students.
Mustard Seed School: Loaves & Fishes’ free, private school for children 3 to 15 years old provides survival resources, immunization updates, counseling and assistance entering and reentering private schools.
Loaves & Fishes Library: The Loaves & Fishes Library is a full-service library with books, daily newspapers and periodicals. It provides a place for quiet time and space for studying and writing.
8. Becoming a Child Care Provider
If you or someone you know would like to provide child care, call Child Action, Inc. (CAI) at
(916) 369-0191 for licensing, training and other information.