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Children and Parent at MAOF's head start program

Alternative Payment Programs & CalWORKs

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State and federal voucher childcare subsidy programs assist income eligible families with a qualifying need with assistance to pay for childcare.  The programs serve children under the age of 13, children with exceptional needs may be served up to age 21. A key component of the voucher programs is parental choice. This allows enrolled families to choose the childcare setting that meets the specific needs of the family.  

Stage 1

Stage 1 is administered by the California Department of Social Services through the county welfare department (CWDs). Stage 1 begins when a participant enters the CalWORKs grant welfare-to-work plan developed by the CWD for each family. The CWDs refer families to resource and referral agencies to assist them in finding childcare providers. Parents are eligible for the program if they:

  1. Meet state income guidelines,
  2. Use childcare in our service area, and
  3. Need childcare because they are employed, seeking employment, in vocational training, seeking permanent housing, and/or incapacitated.

Stage 2

Eligibility in CalWORKs Stage 2, for current CalWORKs recipients, begins when the County Department of Social Services determines the recipient’s work or approved activity is stable or when a recipient is transitioning off cash-aid. Former CalWORKs recipients are eligible to receive childcare services in Stage 2 for up to 24 months after discontinuing cash-aid, or until they are otherwise ineligible within that 24-month period. 

Stage 3

Upon a recipient exhausting their 24-month eligibility in CalWORKs Stage 2, the family is seamlessly transferred into CalWORKs Stage 3 if they continue to meet the income and need requirement as defined by the funding source.  

Alternative Payment Program

The California Alternative Payment Program (CAPP) funded by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Child Care and Development Division (CCDD) provides childcare subsidy assistance to income-eligible families who have a qualifying need as defined by the funding source. The program serves children under the age of 13 whose parent(s) are employed, seeking employment, seeking permanent housing, incapacitated, engaged in a vocational training or education program, or whose children are receiving protective services or have been identified as at risk of abused neglected or exploited.

Parent picking up their child at MOAF's childcare programs

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(323) 890-9600
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Monterey County
(831) 424-6939

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