Subsidies
Help Paying for Child Care
After applying on the Child Care Eligibility List and as funding permits, financial help with child care expenses may be available to eligible parents. Child care subsidies may be available through the Alternative Payment (AP or “Parent Choice”), CalWORKS Stage 2 and Stage 3, or the Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN) programs.
For the Alternative Payment or CalWORKS Stage 2 and 3 programs:
These programs require parents to document their need for child care services, and usually require that the parents be within certain income ranges (unless a child needs care in order to prevent the occurrence of child abuse). If enrolled in either of these programs, care can be provided in the parent’s choice or choices of setting(s):
- Licensed centers
- Licensed family child care providers
- Afterschool programs
- Friend, family, and neighbor caregivers
- Recreation programs
- In some instances, programs operated by a religious institution are allowed.
For families receiving assistance from the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services Stage 1 child care, please keep in contact with your county worker at (707) 268-3400.
After enrollment, Changing Tides Family Services will pay the provider for part of the child care which Changing Tides Family Services authorizes for eligible families. For information about Changing Tides Family Services’ child care subsidy programs, please see the handbooks:
- CalWORKs Stage 1 Child Care Program Handbook (2020)
- Family Child Care Home Education Network Parent Handbook (2024)
- Family Child Care Home Education Network Parent Handbook – En Español (2022)
- Family Child Care Home Education Network Provider Handbook (2024)
- Family Child Care Home Education Network Provider Handbook – En Español (2020)
- Alternative Payment Program, CalWORKs Stages 2 and 3 Parent Handbook (2024)
- Alternative Payment Program, CalWORKs Stages 2 and 3 Parent Handbook – En Español (2022)
- Alternative Payment Program, CalWORKs Stages 2 and 3 Provider Handbook (2024)
- Alternative Payment Program, CalWORKs Stages 2 and 3 Provider Handbook – En Español (2020)
Click here for a list of all child care programs in Humboldt County that can provide assistance with the cost of child care.
Haga clic aquí para ver una lista de todos los programas de cuidado infantil en el condado de Humboldt que pueden proporcionar asistencia con el costo del cuidado de niños.
Click here to learn more about different types of child care available.
Haga clic aquí para aprender más sobre los diferentes tipos de cuidado de niños disponible.
Contact us for more information, or apply for free or low-cost child care through the Child Care Eligibility List (CEL).
Many required forms for currently enrolled families are now available online! See more>>>