Hively is contracted to support eligible Alameda County families in obtaining child care subsidies.
Transitioning Off CalWORKs? You May Qualify for Help Paying for Child Care
Income-eligible families with a qualifying need for child care are entitled to support paying for child care as a guaranteed benefit. We are here to assist you during this time of transition.
We Are Here to Help
Navigating a new program can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Meet Yvonne Stillitano, our Program Manager.
Yvonne is passionate about advocating for parents. She reaches out to families to confirm their eligibility, walk them through enrollment, and provide caring, ongoing check-ins to make sure they have exactly what they need.
Yvonne is joined by a team of dedicated Family Support Specialists. Together, our entire staff works closely with families across Alameda County to navigate paperwork, connect you with child care providers that fit your unique needs, and offer the ongoing guidance required to keep your family thriving.
Let's Connect
Ready to secure your continued child care? Connect with Yvonne today:
Schedule a Phone Appointment
Call us
Yvonne Stillitano
Sophia Lim
Allison Martin
Shannon Pugh-Johnson
What Other Parents Have to Say
Listen to what parents—who were off cash aid—have to say about their experience working with Hively to secure childcare support. They explain how having reliable child care helped their families stabilize and flourish, despite hurdles in their lives.
Ling: Single Mom of two describes her experience.
When I received the call from Hively, I honestly didn’t think I was going to qualify for the program.
I was very surprised to learn that I did qualify, and I felt incredibly grateful. It was such a relief to know that there was support available for my family.
The enrollment process was very smooth, fast, and professional. I felt very welcomed by the staff members. You can truly feel that everyone enjoys their job and genuinely wants to help families like mine. That made the whole experience very comforting.
Having access to this program is truly a blessing because it allows me to have reliable care for my children while I focus on finding housing and attending important appointments to improve our situation.
I’m very grateful for the support Hively has provided to my family.
Mom's name has been changed to protect privacy.
How Much Money Can My Child Care Provider Receive?
The amount of money Hively can pay a Child Care Provider on a family’s behalf depends on a few different things. Your Family Support Specialist will help determine what reimbursement you qualify for. A simplified table is provided below.
Licensed Centers
| Age Group | Full-Time Weekly (130+ hours) | Full-Time Monthly (130+ hours) | Part-Time Weekly (Less than 130 hours) | Part-Time Monthly (Less than 130 hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 24 months | $470 | $2,032 | $324 | $1,216 |
| 2-5 years old | $385 | $1,587 | $272 | $954 |
| 6+ years | $301 | $1,127 | $148 | $521 |
Licensed Famiy Child Care Centers
| Age Group | Full-Time Weekly (130+ hours) | Full-Time Monthly (130+ hours) | Part-Time Weekly (Less than 130 hours) | Part-Time Monthly (Less than 130 hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 24 months | $345 | $1,414 | $252 | $1,004 |
| 2-5 years old | $329 | $1,401 | $258 | $1,052 |
| 6+ years | $277 | $1,123 | $164 | $654 |
Family/Friend/Neighbor Providers
| Age Group | Full-Time Weekly (130+ hours) | Full-Time Monthly (130+ hours) | Part-Time Weekly (Less than 130 hours) | Part-Time Monthly (Less than 130 hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 24 months | $242 | $989 | $176 | $702 |
| 2-5 years old | $230 | $981 | $181 | $736 |
| 6+ years | $193 | $786 | $114 | $458 |
Our team of specialists can help you determine how much your family’s child care provider is eligible to receive.
Is This Too Good to Be True?
Alameda County child care subsidies for families transitioning off CalWORKs are good – and true!
At Hively, we’ve spent the last 50 years building meaningful connections with families across Alameda County. We know that building a bright future takes a village. Life is full of transitions, and we are here to ensure that access to high-quality child care is one less thing you have to be concerned about.
Still Have Questions? We Have Answers.
We know that moving off cash aid and figuring out what comes next can feel like a lot to manage. Here are answers to the common questions we hear from families transitioning off CalWORKS/cash aid.
What does Hively do?
Hively is a nonprofit organization that has been serving families and child care providers in Alameda County for more than 50 years. We help income-eligible families obtain assistance paying for child care through programs including CalWORKS Subsidy and the California Alternative Payment Program. We help families understand what child care subsidies they are eligible for, search for child care providers, and enroll in subsidy programs. We then reimburse child care providers for their expenses associated with caring for these children.
We also support child care providers through various services, offer mental health counseling, operate Family Resource Centers and assist people with enrolling in programs such as Covered California (affordable health insurance) and CalFresh (food assistance).
Will I have any out-of-pocket child care costs?
It depends. Your Family Support Specialist can help determine whether you may have any out-of-pocket costs.
Hively is authorized to pay up to a maximum amount per child, called the Regional Market Rate (RMR). If your child care provider’s rate is below the RMR, it is unlikely that you will have a tuition co-payment. However, you may still be responsible for certain additional fees your provider charges, including:
- Registration and/or materials fees (see note below)
- Supply fees (diapers, wipes, etc.)
- Meal plans
- Transportation fees
- Deposits
Registration and/or Materials Fees:
If the provider’s rate does not exceed the RMR and the provider is willing to accept payment in incremental amounts, if needed, Hively may be able to reimburse registration fees.
Be sure to review your enrollment documents carefully and speak directly with your provider to understand any costs you may be responsible for.
I completed Hively’s enrollment. Do I have to enroll with the child care center too?
Yes.
Parents/caregivers must enroll their child/children at their chosen child care center, in addition to completing Hively’s enrollment in the subsidy program.
What doesn’t Hively do?
Hively’s program supports parent choice, which means you decide which child care provider is the best fit for your family, not Hively. We’re happy to help you search for licensed providers and share referrals to support your decision-making process.
The program covers approved child care services. The cost of deposits, supplies (such as diapers), food, transportation, and private school tuition are not included under the subsidy guidelines.
While Hively does not directly provide child care, our team is here to guide you through the process and help you access financial assistance for eligible child care services.
How long do I have to enroll?
The time you have to enroll depends on your eligibility with the County, and your child care provider’s availability/enrollment rules. Your Family Support Specialist can advise you on if/when your eligibility with the County expires.
Can I complete the enrollment process online/digitally?
Yes! We can support you with electronic document submission, enabling the entire process to take place online/digitally, should that be most convenient for you.
How do I change child care providers?
Your Family Support Specialist can assist you with changing child care providers. To begin the process, they will discuss your current provider's withdrawal notice policies. Next, they can assist with child care referrals if needed and provide important information regarding your new provider.
What is a Family Fee?
A family fee is the monthly amount some families pay towards their subsidized child care. The amount of the monthly fee is based on a family’s income, size, and whether care is provided on a part-time or full-time basis. It is charged per family (not per child), and families on CalWORKs cash aid are exempt from family fees.
A family fee differs from a co-payment as it is based on a family’s income, size and child care needs, whereas a co-payment reflects costs above and beyond the Regional Market Rate, and/or unauthorized costs, such as expenses related to diapers, food, transportation, etc.
How long will I be authorized for?
Families coming off CalWORKs are certified for subsidized child care for a period of no less than 24 months, or 12 months if a child is 12 years old. Following this timeframe, the case will be due for recertification and eligibility is re-evaluated.
What is part-time care and full-time care, and how does that affect my subsidy?
Under California Department of Social Services (CDSS) rules for child care subsidies, part-time care is less than 25 hours per week, and full-time care is 25 hours or more per week. Children attending full-time care have a higher subsidy reimbursement as more hours of child care are used than children in part-time care. Your Family Support Specialist will help you determine if you qualify for part-time or full-time care.
In general, families using full-time child care have a higher maximum reimbursable amount (i.e., subsidies) than those in part-time care, because full-time care costs more.
How does my provider get paid?
Hively will reimburse your provider (a.k.a. the person or organization providing child care services) directly every month, based on their attendance sheet submissions.
Hively submits reimbursements within 21 days of receiving a provider’s attendance sheet.
Is this too good to be true?
We understand that child care subsidies can sound too good to be true, but assure you that this is a legitimate program, administered by the Alameda County Social Services Agency. Hively has supported families with accessing child care subsidies for decades, supporting thousands of families. More information can be found on Alameda County’s website.
Take a few minutes to explore this webpage where you'll get to know our staff and families who have benefited from this program.
