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Programs, Services & Support : Parents

Subsidized Child Care/Centralized Eligibility List (CEL) Program: Call 256-0943 Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

There are 41 programs in Fresno County offering subsidized child care services. These programs receive their funding from many sources, including the state and federal government. Each funding source has its own set of eligibility requirements and each program receives a set amount of money determined by the Funder, not the local agency administering the program. To ensure that all eligible families receive equal access to this service, there is a centralized eligibility list, which is the single countywide list of all children from income eligible families who are waiting for child care financial assistance. Whether parents apply for subsidized child care at CSN or another agency, they will be placed on the same Centralized Eligibility List.

To request an application, please call (559) 256-0943 and you will also receive assistance in completing the application.

*Being on the eligibility list is not a guarantee of services.

Attention: Families Who Need Help Paying for Child Care

Get your name on the Fresno County Centralized Eligibility List (CEL)!

Instructions Sheet/Check List

1. ____ Complete the application;
2. ____ Attach (staple) to the application:
___ Verification of gross family income from all sources (example: check stubs for 2 previous months, child support, social security benefits, welfare assistance, unemployment).
___ If you are attending school, you must also submit financial aid information;
___ If not employed, submit verification of need (Fresno City College, CSUF, training
school, etc); and
___ Copy Social Security cards for all family members residing in home.

FOR YOUR FAMILY TO BE PLACED ON THE CEL
(CENTRALIZED ELIGIBILITY LIST)
ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
MUST BE RETURNED WITH THE APPLICATION.

Submitting the application

Families may submit their application by delivering it OR mailing it to ANY agency listed on the back of this form. No matter where the application is turned in, all information from the application ends up on one county-wide CEL.

Offer of Services

When a program has funding available to pay for child care, families on the CEL who meet that program’s requirements are identified and contacted. Families can be offered care by ANY of the agencies in Fresno County with subsidized child care contracts.

Just because a family turned their application into Child Care Center ABC, it does not mean that Child Care Center ABC will offer the family placement. So the greatest number of children can be served, there are deadlines involved when an offer for placement is made. Be sure to check your mail and don’t ignore a letter from another agency just because you did not submit your application to that agency. You do not have to accept the care that is offered, if the location is not convenient, that is your choice as a parent. However, YOU MUST RESPOND TO THE AGENCY OFFERING PLACEMENT OR YOUR FAMILY WILL BE DELETED FROM THE CEL. The attached brochure provides information about the process after you submit your application.

On Application under CHILD INFORMATION, there is a question about exceptional needs. Children who have been identified as having exceptional needs, must submit either an IEP (individualized education program) or an IFSP (individualized Family Service Plan).

If you have questions, call any of the agencies on the back of the CEL brochure OR the Child Care Local Planning Council Office at 497-3718 or 497-3808 (Spanish).

Frequently Asked Questions About Eligibility for Receiving Financial Assistance for Child Care

  • How do I know if I am eligible for subsidized child care?
    - First, you have to meet income requirements based on your family size. The California Department of Education, Child Development Division, establishes a ranking scale.
    - Second, you must have a need for child care for one or more of the following reasons:
    * Employed;
    * Enrolled in school/training program leading to a recognized occupations;
    * Enrolled in a college/university;
    * Incapacitated and unable to care for your child(ren) for part of the day;
    * A statement from the local county welfare department, child protective services unit certifying that the child is receiving child protective services and that child care and development services are a necessary component of the child protective services plan;
    * Or A statement by a legally qualified professional that the child is at risk of abuse or neglect and the child care and development services are needed to reduce or eliminate that risk.

  • How can I get subsidized care?
    A Centralized Eligibility Application needs to be submitted. When your application is received you are given a "ranking number" based on your income and family size. This ranking number and your application date will determine if, and how soon you will be contacted for possible referral, when funding becomes available or space opens in a subsidized child care program.

  • What happens after I send in the application?
    After we have received your application, your name is placed on the eligibility list. You will receive a letter stating that you have been placed on the eligibility list. When a subsidized program has an opening they will begin calling families for a preliminary screening starting with the lowest rank number, one, and move up the list until the program is full. You do not automatically receive subsidized child care by submitting the application.

  • Tell me more about the ranking number?
    You are given a rank number according to your family size and gross monthly income. The ranks range from 1 to 66. There are many families within each rank number. The income guidelines have been established by the California Department of Education, Child Development Division.

  • Will my rank number ever change?
    Your rank number does not change unless your income or family size changes.

  • What income sources count?
    Countable income includes:
    - Wages/salaries
    - Profit from self-employment
    - Child support, spousal support
    - Cash Aid (TANF or CalWORKS)
    - Worker's Compensation
    - Disability insurance payments
    - Pensions and annuities
    - Veteran's benefits

  • Are foster children given priority?
    No. Placement is based on the income received fro the foster child(ren)

  • If my information changes, should I fill out another application?
    No, it is not necessary to fill out another application, but please call us immediately with any changes (family size, income, address, telephone number, etc…).

  • How long is the wait?
    The wait varies. Unfortunately it is not possible for us to give you an appropriate time. Referrals are only made when funding becomes available or when there is an opening in a subsidized child care program. Selections start with the lowest rank number (one), then continues until the funding runs out or the space becomes filled.