4Cs Expands Child Care Funding for Essential Workers
The Community Child Care Council (4Cs) of Sonoma County expanded their Emergency Child Care Funding Program to provide funding for essential workers in need of child care through June 30, 2020. This funding is part of SB 89, emergency legislation signed by Governor Newsom to provide $1 billion in funding to help support California during the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, 4Cs has
4Cs Sonoma County Response to COVID-19
4Cs Sonoma County is closely following the rapid pace of developments related to the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Child care is an essential service during this time and 4Cs staff is available to support parents, providers and the community through our website, social media and phonelines – please don’t hesitate to reach out.
We will be updating our updates page to provide information and links for our families and providers. UPDATE- 4Cs Main office and ALL 4Cs Preschool sites for all non-essential services will be closed from March 17th through Sunday May 31. We will carefully track developments over the coming weeks and continue to provide updates via our website www.sonoma4cs.org and Facebook page.
All 4Cs training’s, workshops, parent meetings and outreach events (for all 4Cs programs centers and office) are being postponed and/or canceled through May 30th. Online training’s may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions about the emergency essential worker funding program:
Q1. What are the income limits for the emergency essential worker funding program?
A1: There are no income limits to apply for the program, however lowest income families will
be served first. It is unlikely we will be able to serve income limits above the 85% median
income for a family of 4 which is $6,719
Q2. Is this program only for essential health care workers? What about other health care
workers?
A2: This program is for all Essential workers as listed in the SIP guidelines per the Sonoma
County Health order. However there are priority guidelines which start with workers in
healthcare, public health and emergency service sectors. The second priority moves on to a
wider range of essential workers { full list available}.
Q3. What are the qualifications for applying when we have two working parents in the home?
A3: This program is for emergency child care of essential workers who cannot work remotely. If
you have two working parents in the home, both parents must be essential workers for you to
qualify. Or, one essential worker and one incapacitated parent.
Q4. What is the duration of funding?
A4: Funding is given from your approval through 6/30/20 or when the state of emergency ends,
whichever is first.
Q5. Will you tell me what child care provider to use?
A5: Families have the ability to select a provider that fits their needs. 4Cs Resource and Referral
is here to provide you a list of child care providers who have indicated they have space for new
children. Parents are responsible to select a provider and report it to their enrolling Case
Manager within 5 days of their application phone review. Unlicensed providers have additional
requirements to be met before care can start.
Q6. Is everything covered or will parents have to pay something?
A6: Depending on the rates charged by your selected provider, families may have a co-payment
and coverage is a partial subsidy.
Q7. When will my funding start?
A7: Funding is not retro-active. Applications will be reviewed by phone with a case manager
and funding would start once it is processed (generally within 1-2 business days from your
phone review). Parents and providers will receive an email with their approval documents
attached as confirmation.
Q8. I don’t know what to put for some of the questions.
A8: Fill out the application to the best of your ability. Any blanks or questions will be reviewed
with a case manager on the follow up application review phone call.
Q9. How do I apply?
A9: Email your Confidential Application and Self-Certification documents to
emergencychildcare@sonoma4cs.org . If unable to submit documents this way, call 4Cs at 707-
522-1413 x 159 for assistance.
BECOMING A PROVIDER
Becoming a licensed provider (family child care or center) can mean greater business development, access to more referrals, ability to participate in more professional trainings, eligibility for reimbursements like the Early Learning Scholarships or Food Programs, and potentially the ability to increase your income. We’re here to guide your through the licensing process.
For more information about being a licensed child care provider, contact:
Your 4Cs Contacts
Sheila Whipple
(707) 522-1413 ext. 156
Conny Lucia
(707) 522-1413 ext. 118
Habla español
Community Care Licensing
Community Care Licensing is a division of the California Department of Social Services and is the state agency that grants licenses and monitors providers. Whether you want to open a licensed family child care home or center, many of the steps are the same. The differences will be explained in the licensing orientation as well as the application process itself. For more detailed information on regulations, please refer to Title 22 for Centers and Title 22 for Family Child Care.
Application process (good for both center and FCC)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
