In addition to WCCC, the State of Washington offers a variety of other subsidized child care programs that serve specific groups of consumers. This section provides a brief overview of these programs. The booklet, Child Care Options in Washington State -
A Quick Reference
Guide, DSHS
22-859, is available to the child care staff and other social service agencies for distribution to interested parties.
Before referring to WCCC or authorizing WCCC, DSHS staff must first assess which child care program or other
resource is most appropriate. Other subsidized child care programs
include:
Homeless Child care
This program provides temporary care for families who are homeless and not receiving other subsidized child care.
Parents can receive care for their children while the parents seek permanent housing, employment, or take care of personal business such as legal, medical, or financial appointments.
Local contracted community agencies authorize this type of child care. For information about access to local contracted community agencies call Washington Child Care Resource and Referral at 1-800-446-1114 or visit http://www.childcarenet.org
DSHS Children's Administration (CA) Child Care Program
CA's child care program pays for child care to support the children and families it serves (those who have an open case with CA). The social worker and family together determine whether enrollment in a child care program promotes the safety, permanency and well-being of the child. Child care services are available to those in foster care, relative care, and other situations where child care is a part of their CA case plan.
For more information about CA's child care program, families should call their Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) social worker.
Crisis Nursery
This is for families who are in crisis and need emergency child care for children ages 6 years and younger. Some sites offer child care on a 24-hour basis. All clients are self-referred. Program goals are to prevent child abuse and neglect. Local agencies provide the service, and the agencies change periodically. At the time of this manual update, services are available at:
Childhaven, serving Seattle and King County - 206-624-6477 Keystone Crisis Nursery, serving Mason, Lewis, Thurston Counties EPIC Crisis Nursery - Yakima - 509-249-9102 Crisis Nursery at the Children's Advocacy Center of Grays Harbor County Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery in Spokane - 509-535-3155 Safe Harbor, serving the Tri-Cities area - 509-374-4902 Innovative Services NW, serving Vancouver and Clark County
For information about access to crisis care, contact any of the above programs directly.
Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA)
There are subsidized child care assistance programs for parents attending an approved alcohol or drug treatment facility. These include:
-
Part-time care while the parent is in outpatient treatment. Care is available at selected outpatient treatment sites, in licensed community homes and centers, in the child's home or a relative's home.
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Around the clock care while parent is in inpatient treatment (in some areas of the state).
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Part-time care when a child accompanies the parent for inpatient treatment. Care is available at selected inpatient treatment sites.
Payment:
For more information about DASA child care,
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
DVR may pay for child care for the children of individuals with disabilities who seek vocational rehabilitation services to get or keep a job or to advance in employment. Certain rules and restrictions apply.
For more information about DVR services
Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP)
Three and four-year old children and their families with incomes up to
110% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or who are otherwise at risk of school
failure are potentially eligible for ECEAP. ECEAP prepares children
for success in the public school system through comprehensive integrated
services including early childhood education, health and dental
screenings, nutrition, parent involvement in the child's education, and
family support services and referrals. ECEAP contractors determine
eligibility. Visit ECEAP for more information.
First Steps Child Care
Pregnant women with medical coupons can access this child care subsidy to allow the pregnant woman medically required bed-rest and / or to go to outpatient medical visits.
For local resources call Within Reach at 1-800-322-2588.
Headstart
Families with children birth to five years with incomes up to 100% of FPL are potentially eligible for Headstart. Headstart serves eligible children three to five years of age. Early Headstart (EHS) serves eligible pregnant women, infants and toddlers up to age three years. These comprehensive child development programs offer health, education, and family support. Parents also participate and benefit from the program. Contact local programs or call 360-725-4667 to find the program nearest you.
Seasonal Child Care
Seasonal child care subsidy is available to eligible seasonally employed families in Regions 1, 2, and 3.
Families must obtain at least 50% of the past year's annual income from agricultural employment. A family's annual income must be at or below 200% of the FPL. Families must meet all program and income criteria.
Access to child care is through local Seasonal Child Care contractors. For information about local seasonal child care contractors call Washington Child Care Resource and Referral at 1-800-446-1114.
Child Care Resource and Referral (R&R) Agencies
The CCR&Rs help parents find quality, affordable, licensed child care. They link parents with available subsidy program information, facilitate the licensing process for child care providers, and generate public awareness of child care issues. There are no eligibility criteria for using R&R agencies. The CCR&R network will serve anyone who calls this telephone service. (Some counties charge a modest fee to families above a certain income level.) For the nearest Resource and Referral agency call Washington State Child Care Resource and Referral Network at 1-800-446-1114.
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