Alternative Payment >Frequently Asked Questions
<<< Previous| Parent Handbook (PDF) >>>
We talk to parents and childcare
providers every day who want to know how families can get help paying
for child care. Currently there are approximately 9,000 families who have
applied for the Alternative Payment Program, and most of them have been
waiting for a long time. In order to help everyone have a better understanding
of how the program works, here are the answers to some of our most commonly
asked questions:
- Who is eligible?
- What services does the program offer?
- How long will I have to wait?
- How often do I need to update my
application?
- When will I know when it is my turn?
- I'm on welfare and can't afford child
care. How can I get help?
- Are there any other programs besides
YMCA Childcare Resource Service that can help me pay for child care?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Who is eligible?
Eligible families are low-income, and the adult family members are working,
looking for work, enrolled in education or job training, homeless, medically
or physically incapacitated, or referred by Child Protective Services.
2. What services does the
program offer?
YMCA Childcare Resource Service (CRS) is a parent choice program in which
the participating family chooses a child care provider that best meets
their needs. The provider may be a licensed public or private child care
center, licensed family child care home, or legally licensed exempt provider.
In order for the chosen provider to receive payment for children the
provider is caring for, the provider must contract with YMCA Childcare
Resource Service.
Top
3. How long will I have
to wait? ?
Waiting time varies depending on when there are openings available. YMCA
CRS enrolls families with the lowest income first, according to family
size. Unfortunately, YMCA Childcare Resource Service does not have enough
funding to help pay for child care for every low-income family that needs
it.
Top
4. How often do I need to
update my application?
You must call every six months to update your application. Failure to
update your application will cause your family to be removed from eligibility
list. You should also call if you have a change in any of the following:
- Name, address, phone number(s)
- Income
- Marital status
- Family size
- Employment or educational status
5. When will I know when
it is my turn?
You will be contacted by either phone or letter and asked to verify your
income, family size, and other information to assure that your family
falls within the income guidelines YMCA CRS is currently enrolling.
Top
6. I'm on welfare and can't
afford child care. How can I get help?
You need to notify your county eligibility worker that you are in need
of child care services.
Top
7. Are there any other programs
besides YMCA Childcare Resource Service that can help me pay for child
care?
When your application is placed in the centralized computer file, your
name becomes available to all three San Diego Alternative Payment Programs:
Child Development Associates (CDA), County of San Diego Child Care Section,
and YMCA Childcare Resource Service. You can also call the YMCA CRS Resource
and Referral department at (800) 481-2151 and ask for names and numbers
of other subsidized child care centers in our service area.
To apply for subsidized child care, fill out the
eligibility questionnaire at www.childcaresandiego.com or
call (619) 521-3055 ext. 2500.
<<< Previous | Parent Handbook (PDF) >>>
|
