NEED HELP PAYING FOR CHILD CARE?
- Parental Choice
- Age Eligibility
- Program Eligibility
The Subsidized Child Care Program may be able to help. Our staff will help you determine which program you may be eligible for. Each program has strict eligibility guidelines, and all families must qualify under those guidelines in order to receive services.
See if you may qualify for a Subsidized Child Care Program.
- I am currently receiving TANF/Cash Aid
- I have received TANF/Cash Aid within the past 24 months but I am not receiving it now
- I am not currently receiving TANF/Cash Aid and have not received it within the past 24 months and I believe my income is low enough to qualify for subsidized child care. Click here for information about a program I may qualify for.
I am currently receiving TANF/Cash Aid
- Contact your Solano County Worker (ERS, or SIP) and request child care. Your county worker will determine your initial eligibility and hours of care, and send us a Child Care Authorization.
- You will need to attend an Orientation followed by a face-to-face Intake. During this time we will inform you of the program rules and regulations, and complete a child care application to determine your eligibility.
- You can call the Intake Clerical Assistant at 707-864-4654 to schedule your Child Care Orientation and Intake appointment.
- If there is sufficient mailing time you will receive a reminder in the mail with some documents that you will need to fill out prior to your appointment. Make sure you bring all requested documents to your Orientation.
What will I need to bring to my appointment?
It is very important that you bring the following documents to your appointment. Your child care services may not be approved until all required documents are received.
- Driver License or Picture ID for all adults in the family size;
- Proof of Residency;
- Birth Certificates for all children;
- Social Security Cards for each family member;
- Name, address, and phone number of your child care provider if you have already selected one. If not, we will be happy to assist you with a Child Care Referral.
How long will it take?
As everyone’s case is different, we cannot predict how long it will take for your appointment. However, you must plan to be there at least three hours for the Child Care Orientation, and to complete the Intake Application.
I have received TANF/Cash Aid within the past 24 months but I am not receiving it now
- You may be eligible for child care under the CalWORKs Stage 2 Program if you are:
- Working;
- Going to School, or in a Vocational Training;
- Looking for Work;
- Incapacitated;
- In Job Retention.
- You will need to attend an Orientation followed by a face-to-face Intake. During this time we will inform you of the program rules and regulations, and complete a child care application to determine your eligibility.
- You can call the Intake Clerical Assistant at 707-864-4654 to schedule your Child Care Orientation and Intake appointment.
- If there is sufficient mailing time you will receive a reminder in the mail with some documents that you will need to fill out prior to your appointment. Make sure you bring all requested documents to your Orientation.
What will I need to bring to my appointment?
It is very important that you bring the following documents to your appointment. Your child care services may not be approved until the documents are received.
- Driver License or Picture ID for all adults in the family size;
- Proof of Residency;
- Birth Certificates for all children;
- Social Security Cards for each family member;
- Immunization Records for all none school aged children;
- Name, address, and phone number of your child care provider if you have already selected one. If not, we will be happy to assist you with a Child Care Referral;
- All documents that the Intake Assistant mailed to you prior to your appointment.
How long will it take?
As everyone’s case is different, we cannot predict how long it will take for your appointment. However, you must plan to be there at least three hours for the Child Care Orientation, and to complete the Intake Application.
I am not currently receiving TANF/Cash Aid and have not received it within the past 24 months
- You may be eligible for Subsidized Child Care under the California Alternative Payment Program if you are:
- Working;
- Going to School, or in a Vocational Training;
- Looking for Work;
- Incapacitated;
- An open CPS case/or the child is at risk of abuse or neglect
- In Job Retention.
- Looking for Housing
SOLANO ELIGIBILITY LIST (SEL)
Families who have never received TANF/Cash Aid, or have been off TANF for more than 24 months, but are in need of help with paying for child care can be listed on the SEL. The SEL is an internet based database (waiting list) of families needing child care assistance in Solano County. Families are ranked on the SEL by eligibility factors (income, family size, and need), not just how long they have been waiting on the list.
Many subsidized child care programs such as State Child Development Centers, Head Start, and other state subsidized child care programs use the SEL to enroll families who qualify for their programs. When a program has an opening, the SEL is used to identify the most eligible family in the service delivery area and the opening is offered to that family. If you are pulled from the SEL, you will have to go through that particular program’s application process, and qualify for services under their program guidelines.
Unfortunately, there are more families in need of help with child care than there is money available. Because funding is limited for all programs, some families may be listed on the SEL for a very long time, and others may be chosen rather quickly based on their individual circumstances.
To be listed on the SEL, you can complete an application online at http://solano.thecel.net
or you may print and complete the application by clicking on the link below and send it to the address listed on the application. If you have a question about the SEL, or need to update your application, you can contact the SEL Clerical Assistant at 707-864-4640.
OTHER PROGRAMS YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR:
General Child Care Program (Usually a Waiting Period)
SFCS also runs the California Alternative Payment Program (CAPP) for low-income families in Solano County who do not qualify for the CalWORKs program. Families must apply for services through the Solano Centralized Eligibility List (SCEL), which is also maintained by SFCS. Most state-funded subsidized child care programs in Solano County use the SCEL to identify the neediest families in their service area. Parents only need to complete one SCEL application to have access to subsidized child care services throughout the county.
Welcome to Solano Family and Children's Services! The Subsidized Child Care Program is designed to provide full or partial reimbursement of child care services on behalf of eligible families. The goal of this program is to assist & promote the health, growth, care, development, and education of children in Solano County by providing child care, while their parents continue their employment, education, or training. We hope that the information contained in this video is helpful to you!