Child Care Payment Program (Alternative Payment Program - APP)

Child Care Payment Program (Alternative Payment Program - APP) is sponsored by Child Development Associates (CDA). CDA's Child Care Payment Program, also known as the Alternative Payment Program (APP), provides subsidized child care assistance to eligible families who live or work in San Diego County.

Child Care Payment Program - Families | CDA Afford the essential child care your family needs to thrive. Pick what works best for your family — a licensed child care home, center, or a trusted friend, relative, or neighbor. Maintain reliable child care Develop stability while you work or complete your education, so you can create a better life for you and your family.

Get started by completing an application on Child Care San Diego A friendly team member will contact you to begin your enrollment for child care services. Documentation & Provider Approval Submit all required documents and have a CDA approved provider for at least one of your children. Attend Enrollment Appointment Together, we will review our program guidelines and your application for you to sign.

We will issue a notice with your approved schedule and the maximum reimbursement amount to your provider. Your child starts care and continues to receive care during the eligibility period. Submit Attendance Records Attendance records are submitted to CDA monthly for provider reimbursement.

We pay your provider monthly on your behalf. 1.

Eligibility Requirement Current CalWORKs aid recipient Child Protective Services (CPS) or at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation Participating in a means-tested government program : -The Federal Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations -California Food Assistance Program To be eligible based on income, your family’s gross monthly income must be equal to or less than the amount shown in the table below.

Gross monthly income is all income you and your family receive before taxes are taken out. If you are self-employed it is your income after deducting business expenses. Income eligibility is based on the State Median Income.

Refer to the table below. Effective July 1st, 2026. Subject to change.

Each adult in the family size has one or more of the following need categories: In school or job training Child Protective Services (CPS) or at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation Experiencing Homelessness Seeking permanent housing Apply on Child Care San Diego Child Care San Diego is one application that connects families to different subsidized child care agencies across San Diego.

CDA is one of these agencies and we are currently enrolling! Get started by completing an application today. Parents love CDA’s Child Care Payment Program “I am very grateful for this program.

Honestly don’t know what I would do without it. Being a single mother is not easy and this program not only helps me keep a roof over my son’s head but also helps him receive the education he deserves. Thank you CDA.

” Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. CDA Reimbursement Schedule Family is authorized with a variable schedule Variable schedules are reimbursed for the actual care hours provided that are within the hours authorized.

The reimbursement will not exceed the amount billed by the provider or the full-time (FT) or part-time (PT) RMRC listed on the certificate for child care services. CDA will not reimburse for child absences, provider holiday or closure days on a variable schedule. If the full billed/invoiced amount is not paid, the parent is responsible for the difference directly to the provider.

Reimbursement of provider non-operation days/holidays The number of reimbursable provider holidays and/or non-operation days is limited to a maximum of 10 days per fiscal year. Once these allowable limits are exceeded, reimbursement will be prorated for future closure days.

Reimbursement of registration fees, material fees, insurance fees Fees for registration, material and/or insurance may be reimbursed if the current reimbursement amount does not exceed the Regional Market Rate Ceiling (RMRC). Reimbursement of these fees is limited to one (1) per child, per fiscal year and will be made in a single payment when requested on the child’s attendance record.

Note: For providers with programs that have multiple fees in one year or where it has been determined that the reimbursement amount exceeds the RMRC, the excess fees will be the responsibility of the parent. When child care is authorized for a total of 25 or more hours per week the Full Time Weekly RMRC will be used. When child care is authorized for a total of less than 25 hours per week the Part Time RMRC will be used.

View the State’s RMRC by County See the full Program Guidelines Congratulations! You may be eligible for CDA’s program . We’re sorry, you may not be eligible for CDA’s program .

If you would like to receive a personal eligibility screening, please complete the form below: We’re sorry, it appears you may have different need for child care services than those listed. To receive a personal eligibility screening, please call us at: (619) 427-4411 ext. 1400