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4C's of Alameda County

Child Care Financial Assistance PDF Print E-mail



The cost of child care is a major expense for families. In Alameda County, infant care ranges from about $700-$800 per month in licensed family child care homes to over $1,000 a month in child care centers, while the cost per 4-year-old averages from about $600-700 per month in family child care homes to about $700-800 per month in child care centers.

4C's referral specialists can help direct you to information about various types of child care payment programs that provide subsidies (monetary assistance) to low-income families. Parent eligibility is based on income and need. The current available programs are CalWORKS Stage 1, 2, and 3 and Alternative Payment. The state contracts with 4C's and other agencies to administer these programs in local communities.

CalWORKS

The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS) program provides temporary assistance to needy families who transition from welfare to work. Families are considered eligible if they receive cash aid. However, aid is time-limited and recipients must meet hourly welfare-to-work requirements and participate in job services, training, or education. Parents in CalWORKS also receive support services, including child care. There are three stages of CalWORKS support:

Stage 1: Parents who are new to CalWORKS programs.

Stage 2: Parents who have been working and who are either still receiving cash aid or have been discontinued from aid within the previous 24 months.

Stage 3: Parents who receive child care assistance for children up to 13 as long as they remain income-eligible.

4C's assists CalWORKS parents by:
  • Providing child care referrals
  • Meeting with parents and providers to set up agreements for care
  • Paying the provider directly for child care services
For information about 4C's CalWORKS services, call 510-582-2182.

4C's Payment Programs

4C's offers payment assistance programs in two offices.

Oakland Office

Alternative Payment Program for people who live or work in Oakland – to assist eligible parents with the cost of child care and a variety of support services. Parent eligibility is based on income and need.

CalWORKs Stages 2 & 3 – for parents who have transitioned from Stage 1 and live in Oakland. They must be working (Stage 2) or going to school (Stage 3).

Hayward Office

CalWORKs Stage 1 – for parents living in any of the seven cities in southern Alameda County and who are receiving cash aid, and either working, going to school, or in an approved work activity.

Alternative Payment Program:
  • Parents living in any of the seven cities in southern Alameda County
  • Priority for children receiving Child Protective Services
  • Second priority for families who meet income and need eligibility

Other Payment Progams

If you are not in CalWORKS and seek subsidized child care, sign up with Alameda County's Centralized Eligibility List (CEL). This is the list that federal and state subsidized programs in the county use when they fill openings. Your family income must be below a certain level and you typically must be working, looking for work, in training, going to school, or incapacitated.

For more information about subsidized care in Alameda County, contact your local Resource and Referral agency:

 
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