Overview of 4C's Child Care Payment Programs

The cost of child care is a major expense for families. In Alameda County, full-time infant care ranges from about $750 per month in licensed family child care homes to over $1,100 a month in child care centers. The cost for full-time care for a preschooler averages from about $700 per month in family child care homes to almost $800 per month in child care centers.

Parent eligibility is based on income and need. The current available programs are CalWORKS Stage 1, 2, and 3 and Alternative Payment. The state and Alameda County contract with 4C's to administer these programs in our community.

CalWORKS

The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS) program provides 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 the CalWORKS program.

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 through the age of 12 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

4C's Payment Programs

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

Oakland Office - 510-383-3582

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. Download eligibility form. 

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

Hayward Office - 510-584-3101

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