1. What is an Emergency Child Care Voucher for Essential Workers and “At-Risk” children? (Last Reviewed 7/18/22)
An Emergency Child Care Voucher gave temporary child care services to essential workers and families in specific at-risk groups. On June 30, 2022, the program ended. Families with emergency child care vouchers have first priority to enrollment for ongoing child care services in the Alternative Payment Programs and the Migrant Alternative Payment Programs. The order of enrollment will be determined by the guidelines listed in Welf. & Ins. Code section 10271. Families who do not meet the eligibility and need rules in Welf. & Ins. Code section 10271 will be disenrolled effective June 30, 2022. For more information view Child Care Bulletin 22-15 page 4.
If families are at risk of being disenrolled, tell them to contact The Child Care Law Center if one of these situations might apply:
- Individuals who currently participate in CalWORKs, or did within the last 2 years, are eligible for immediate child care assistance.
- Children in foster care are automatically eligible for certain types of child care such as Headstart and Early Headstart, regardless of income.
- Families experiencing homelessness are eligible for child care regardless of income.
- Families who care for children with CPS cases are eligible for child care regardless of income and are prioritized on the waitlist.
- Families who care for children who could be considered at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation can get child care and be prioritized on the waitlist if they get a letter from a qualified professional. This can include families that have experienced domestic violence.
