Pathways LA recently launched the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children, designed to increase the number of foster children successfully placed in home-based family care settings, increase capacity of childcare programs to meet the needs of foster children, and maximize funding to support the childcare needs of eligible families.
If you are a foster care resource parent looking for free or reduced child care, Pathways LA may be able to help you with:
- Finding a child care provider
- Securing a subsidized child care placement
- Completing child care program applications
- Developing a plan for long-term child care appropriate to the child’s age and needs
Eligible families may also receive a time-limited child care voucher to help pay for child care costs for foster children birth through age 5 (and up to age 21 for children with special needs) as well as their siblings who are under 12 years old. Vouchers will be approved for an initial period of up to twelve months.
The Bridge Program is administered through the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in partnership with Pathways LA and the Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles (CCALA).
Child care providers engaged in the Bridge Program receive training and coaching on topics including Trauma-Informed Care, child development and research-based strategies for supporting children who are in foster care.
Make a Referral
Referrals to the Bridge Program must be made through the resource family’s Children’s Social Worker at DCFS.
Making a referral to our Bridge Program? Here is quick user guide on how to submit a referral. For any questions on our program eligibility and requirements contact Staphany Perez, Child Care Bridge Navigator- sperez@pathwaysla.org
