Riverside County Department of Public Social Services

Introduction

The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) Child Care Section provides child care payments to a variety of eligible families. From working CalWORKs recipients to parents of children receiving protective services, the Child Care Section affords the client prompt and accurate access to help with child care expenses.

All child care funds are paid on behalf of the customer directly to the provider of their choice. The State of California sets the maximum rate paid for child care. The amount is based on the age of the child, the type of care used, whether the provider is licensed or un-licensed, and the amount of time the child care is needed. In some cases, the child care provider may charge more than the maximum amount DPSS can pay. In this case, the customer pays the difference. In addition, some families may have to pay a part of the cost of child care because their gross income is over a certain amount for their family size.

CalWORKs Child Care

Child care assistance is available to CalWORKs families when the parent or caretaker is receiving cash assistance, the child(ren) is under the age of 13, and child care is needed because of work or other approved CalWORKs work activities.

Families with a disabled or special needs child over the age of 13 may also be eligible for CalWORKs child care assistance.

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Provider Information

A parent or caretaker has the right to decide what type of child care is best for their child. There are three basic types of child care providers.

License exempt – care is provided by a relative, friend, or neighbor who agrees to care for only the customer’s child(ren) in addition to their own. The license-exempt provider may have to be fingerprinted and cleared by the California Department of Justice.

Licensed Family Day Care Home – care is provided in a family home, licensed by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Community Care Licensing division. http://ccld.ca.gov/

Child Care Center – care is provided in a commercial center licensed by the CDSS Community Care Licensing division and usually includes enriched child development programs.

For more information about child care licensing, contact the local Community Care Licensing agency at 951-782-4200.

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Child Care after CalWORKs?

Families that no longer receive CalWORKs may continue to get help with child care. This assistance, called Stage Two, helps former CalWORKs recipients who are working or participating in an approved work activity pay for child care for up to 24 months immediately following the last month of cash aid. Once the family has received all the State Two help they can, they may be eligible to child care through Stage Three. Both Stage Two and Three are handled by the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE). http://www.rcoe.k12.ca.us/divisions/cfs/programs/csindex.html

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Non-CalWORKs Child Care?

Certain families may qualify for child care help under State and Federal assistance programs called the California Alternative Payment Program.

In Riverside, this program offers child care payments for eligible families with funds from the California Department of Education. Families must be income eligible and/or include a child(ren) who is at risk of neglect, abuse or exploitation or receiving Child Protective Services.

http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/op/cdprograms.asp

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Child Care Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who chooses the child care provider?

A: A parent or caretaker may choose the provider and type of care that best suits the needs of their child(ren) and family.

Q: What is a suitable child care provider?

A: Licensed centers, family day care homes, friends, family members and neighbors may all be suitable child care providers as long as they are able and available during the hours care is needed.

Q: How do I find a suitable licensed child care provider?

A: The toll free Resource and Referral phone line 1-800-442-4927 can provide a list of suitable licensed child care providers.

Q: Does the provider chosen have to be licensed?

A: No. There are suitable providers who are both licensed and un-licensed.

Q: How do I apply for child care?

A: Families receiving CalWORKs should contact their local office and request a child care referral be sent to the nearest child care office. Those who are not receiving CalWORKs but have in the past 24 months need to contact their local child care office directly.

Q: How long does it take to be approved as a provider and to get the first child care payment?

A: A Specialized Child Care Worker is allowed 30 days to determine eligibility and process a referral for child care assistance. Once an individual is approved as a provider, a claim form must be completed to receive payment.

Q: What do I have to do to get make sure my child care provider is paid?

A: When a child care provider is approved, the parent or caretaker and the provider have to turn in a monthly Child Care Eligibility Report. The report must be completed and signed after the last day of care.

Q: How do I become a child care provider?

A: To be a licensed provider, contact the local Community Care Licensing agency at 951-782-4200 to obtain information about the process of becoming licensed.

Q: I am a licensed child care provider. How do I let people know about me?

A: Contact the Riverside County Office of Education Resource and Referral unit at 1-800-442-4927. They will add you to the child care provider listing which is given to families upon request.

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Child Care Office Locations

Riverside County DPSS Child Care Offices and Phone Numbers