The CDE subsidized child care programs administered by Crystal Stairs are designed to offer families access to quality child care and development services that best meet each family's needs.

Before services are approved, parents MUST provide documentation of the family's eligibility and of the need for child care services. After services are approved, parents choose an eligible child care provider that offers the appropriate services and meets the family's needs.

California Alternative PaymentProgram (CAPP)
The CAPP subsidizes child care for low-income families that meet state required eligibility conditions described immediately below ("Family Eligibility for CAPP") and also meet need criteria (see section "Documenting the Need for Child Care Services," in the Parent Handbook). These families may or may not have received a welfare cash grant from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS).

Access to CAPP
Parents and families gain access to CAPP in these ways:

• Through the Crystal Stairs Child Care Waiting List 
• Through a referral from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) for Child Protective Services (CPS), OR
• Through an At-Risk (of abuse, neglect, or exploitation) referral from a licensed professional

Family Eligibility for CAPP
Families are eligible for CAPP child care funding if ALL of the following conditions are met:

• The children receiving services reside in the state of California
• The family meets the need criteria
• The family is eligible based on least one of the following criteria:

A. Income eligibility: a family's adjusted monthly income is at or below 70 percent of the state median income, adjusted for family size.
B. Receiving public cash assistance documented by one of following:

• A current Notice of Action (NOA) from the county welfare department
• A letter from the county welfare department indicating that the parent is a current aid receipient
• A printout from the county welcare department database, GAIN Employment Activity and Reporting System (GEARS); parents can ask their Family Services Specialist to obtain this printout for them

C. Family has a written referral from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) for Child Protective Services (CPS) dated within six months of the application for services with a statement from the local county welfare department child welfare services worker certifying that:

• The child is receiving CPS AND
• Child care and development services are a necessary component of the CPS service plan
• The statement MUST also include:
  • The probable duration of the CPS service plan AND
  • The name, address, phone number, and signature of the county child welfare services worker

D. A written At-Risk (of abuse, neglect, or exploitation) referral with a statement from someone licensed in the State of California to perform legal, medical, health, or social services for the general public certifying that:

• The child is at risk of abuse and neglect AND
• Child care and development services are needed to reduce or eliminate the risk
• The statement MUST also include:
  • The possible duration of the At-Risk situation AND
  • The name, address, phone number, and signature of the legally qualified professional making the referral

E. Family is homeless. Homelessness MUST be documented by:
• EITHER a written referral from an emergency shelter or other legal, medical or social service agency OR
• A written parental declaration that the family is homeless and a statement describing the family's living situation

Children's Eligibility for CAPP
Children living in the household of the eligible family may receive CAPP child care services if they are:
• EITHER under the age of 13 OR
• Under the age of 21 if they have exceptional needs

Duration of Eligibility for CAPP
Families on the CAPP program have no time limits for receiving child care services as long as:
• Funding is available AND
• The family continues to meet eligibility and need criteria