Yolo County has limited funding to pay for temporary Subsidized Child Care for foster children, including child care for infants and toddlers, preschool, and before-after school child development programs for school age children. Providing caregivers with quick access to subsidized childcare helps resource families to be able to take placement of foster youth.
What will this childcare cost?
In many cases the temporary child care is FREE – fully covered by Yolo County funding. In some cases, the child care providers rates may be higher than funding rates available and in this case the caregiver would pay the rate difference (referred to as a “family fee”). At times the Child Care Bridge Program is full and funding may not be available until the beginning of the fiscal year (July).
How do foster caregivers (RFA homes) get Subsidized child care?
The caregiver should contact Patricia Sanchez – Patricia.Sanchez2@yolocounty.
She will work with you to coordinate with the Children’s Home Society (General Information: (530) 723-5225; Resource & Referral Hotline: (530) 645-6265) who administers the temporary subsidized child care program for Yolo County. The foster caregiver can pick a licensed childcare provider that is approved through the Children’s Home Society (many child care centers or after school programs throughout Yolo county are approved). The Children’s Home Society will process your application and then directly pay the childcare provider.
Who is eligible?
All foster youth 0 to 12 years old are eligible (and for youth with expectational needs up 21 years). Caregivers must declare that care is needed while the caregiver is working, in school or training, seeking employment, etc.
What childcare providers are covered?
Child care centers, after school childcare programs, family child care homes, and some Children Home Society approved license-exempt providers
Additional Resources:
Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children (Bridge Program)