KCAO provides a multitude of child care services for low to moderate income families. Families and individuals can enroll in the following child care programs based on their eligibility.
CalWorks Stages I and II
KCAO CalWorks (Stages I and II) is a parental choice subsidized childcare program that serves children 0-12 years. Parents are able to use any licensed or non-licensed provider in Kings County based on the specific needs of their child. The head of the household currently enrolling in Stage 2 must be currently receiving or have received a CalWorks cash grant within the last 24 months preceding their enrollment. In addition to a CalWorks grant, the parent must have a need for child care and the family must be income eligible. Needs for childcare include: employment, seeking employment, training towards a vocational goal or a physical or mental incapacity. Families must be referred through Department of Human Services CalWorks and meet need and eligibility requirements.
Centralized Eligibility List
The CEL was developed by California Department of Education, Child Development Division. The CEL combines all subsidized child care programs wait list into one and enables families access to all programs for which they would qualify, by submitting one application. To be eligible to be placed on the CEL a family must meet at least one of the following needs: employment, seeking employment, training for a vocational goal, medically incapacitated (doctor approved), or seeking state preschool. To apply to the list the family will need to fill out an application and submit it to KCAO CEL. The wait time varies for the CEL and eligibility is determined by family size, income, need, availability of funds and not by wait time.
Download the CEL Application (English)
Download the CEL Application (Español)
Alternative Payment Program
The Alternative Payment Program (CAPP) provides subsidized child care services to low to moderate income families. This program is funded with state and federal funds, and offers an array of child care arrangements for parents, such as in-home care, family child care, and center-bases care. Ages of care is provided from birth to 12 years of age. Parents must be working, in training for a vocational goal, incapacitated (verified by a doctor), seeking employment or referred by Child Protective Services. The CAPP is intended to increase parental choice and accommodate the individual needs of the family. Families looking to apply for this program will need to apply through the Centralized Eligibility List and meet the need and eligibility requirements. Enrollment is based on family size, income and available program funds.
