Child Care
Provides child care subsidies for children 0 to 12 years of age and are made available to eligible families on a time-limited basis.
Alameda County Child Care Provider Grant Program Reopens: What to Know!
Exciting News! The Alameda County Board of Supervisors (BOS) and the Alameda County Social Services Agency (SSA) will provide a new opportunity for unrestricted funding to support the vital work of licensed child care providers in Alameda County.
This funding opportunity follows an initial round of one-time grants awarded to over 1,200 eligible licensed small and large Family Child Care (FCC) and Center-based programs in Alameda County totaling $3.74 million who applied for funding between June 2022 and March 2023. Alameda County secured the funding by using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support the crucial role child care businesses played during the COVID-19 pandemic. The BOS has allocated an additional amount of $5.9M (+$1.3M carry over from the initial funding) for a total of $7.2M toward child care grants, affording SSA the ability to re-open the grant portal.
NEW GRANT PROGRAM FUNDING OPPORTUNITY:
Grant Purpose: This funding aims to enhance child care access, affordability, and stability after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funding Period: May 1, 2024 through November 1, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria: Small and Large Family Child Care (FCC) and Center-based programs in Alameda County with active, current licenses who were operational during the pandemic before June 2021 and continue to be licensed with Community Care Licensing are eligible to receive funds.
Award Amount: Grants range from $4,200 for Large FCCs and Center-based program to $3,200 for Small FCCs.
How to Receive Funds:
1. If you are a State licensed child care provider and received an initial grant between June 2022 and March 2023, no further action is needed. You information remains on file, and we have confirmed with the California Department of Social Services that you continue to be a current State licensed provider. We will automatically send you a grant in the form of a check by June 15, 2024.
2. If you did NOT apply for the initial grant, you are still eligible to apply for and receive the initial grant amount of $3,350 for Large FCCs and Center-based programs and $2,350 for Small FCCs in addition to the second grant amount of $4,200 for Large FCCs and Center-based program and $3,200 for Small FCCs. To receive your funds:
- Complete the online registration form here and submit a Form W-9.
English | Spanish | Cambodian | Chinese (Simplified) | Farsi | Tagalog | Vietnamese - Funds will be mailed out as applications are received and validated. Please allow 6-8 weeks for receipt of funds.
After you receive funds, we would love to hear from you! Please send us your testimonials here.
What is Child Care?
The Alameda County Social Services Agency provides child care subsidies for children 0 to 12 years of age that are made available to eligible families on a time-limited basis. This two-generational approach is not only vital to finding and maintaining employment, education and/or training for our families but provides critical support for a child’s development.
Types of Child Care Subsidies Available
Fast Facts
- The architecture of the brain is built in early childhood and access to care is limited
The need for high quality, affordable and accessible child care and early education is well documented by researchers nationwide. Ninety percent (90%) of a child’s brain develops in the first five years of life, and is the most significant from birth to age three. This makes the early years the most critical period for our youngest learners to engage in nurturing, stimulating environments with skilled teachers and caregivers. This critical period is a window of opportunity to lay the foundation for all of the years that follow. If children have what they need early in life, they are set on a path for future success.
- Access to care is limited.
More than 115,000 Alameda County children lack access to formal child care and early education. Only thirty-one percent (31%) of Alameda County children with working parents have a licensed child care and early education space available to them.
Child Care Resource & Referral and Alternative Payment Agencies
If you are looking to access child care in Alameda County contact one of the agencies below:
