CalWORKs Stage One Child Care

Effective October 1, 2019, CalWORKs recipients will have access to a 12-month Stage One Child Care authorization.

You are not eligible for child care if you fall under one of the following exceptions:

• Families where only the child is receiving CalWORKs cash aid;
• At application, newly approved CalWORKs recipients who are determined to have a Welfare-to-Work (WTW) exemption and who do not indicate a desire to volunteer for any WTW program activity; or
• Two-parent families in which one parent is available and able to provide care for the child.

Child care is available to children 12 years of age or younger. For children with exceptional needs who have an Individual Education Plan (IEP), they may receive CalWORKs child care beyond the age of 12.

To learn more about child care assistance and find out if you qualify, please contact your Employment Counselor (EC). If you do not know who your EC is, dial one of the following numbers:

• North Oakland (510) 891-0700
• Eastmont (510) 577-7067
• South County (510) 670-6225

If you are currently receiving or have received CalWORKs cash assistance, you may contact the CalWORKs Stage One Child Care Contractors.

• North County - Hively at (510) 568-0306 (Servicing: Oakland, Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, and Emeryville).
• East County - Hively (925) 417-8733 (Servicing: Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, and Sunol).
• South County – 4Cs of Alameda County (510) 584-3101 (Servicing: Fremont, Newark, Union City, Hayward, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, and Castro Valley).
  

Child Care reimbursements are made directly to the child care provider.

If you choose a child care provider who is not licensed, the provider must apply for the TrustLine registration process, which involves a criminal history and child abuse registry background check. A provider who is the child's aunt, uncle, or grandparent does not have to apply for TrustLine registration.

• Reimbursements cannot be made for child care services when care is provided by a parent, legal guardians, or members of the CalWORKs assistance unit.
• Child care providers cannot be under 18 years old.
• Child care reimbursements can be issued only after the license-exempt provider has become a registered TrustLine child care provider.

If you need information about how to choose a child care provider or other child care information you may call the Resource and Referral Agencies in Alameda County:

• North County: Bananas at (510) 658-0381
• East County: Hively (925) 417-8733
• South County: Community Child Care Council (4C's) of Alameda County (510) 584-3101