The Bridges Foster Care Program stands as a critical support system designed to assist families and children navigating the complexities of the foster care system. Recognizing the urgent need for accessible and quality child care, this program in California is structured around three core components to provide comprehensive assistance.
Key Components of the Bridges Foster Care Program
Emergency Child Care Vouchers: Immediate Support for Families
One of the primary pillars of the Bridges Foster Care Program is the Emergency Child Care Voucher. This initiative offers time-limited financial aid to families to cover child care expenses. These vouchers are available for children from birth through age 12 who are in the foster care system, and can extend to youth with exceptional needs up to age 21. Initially, a voucher is granted for a six-month period, with the possibility of renewal for another six months. This extension aims to provide stability while families transition into longer-term, subsidized child care solutions. In specific compelling circumstances, counties have the discretion to extend eligibility beyond the initial 12-month period. It’s important to note that all vouchers are administered in accordance with the Regional Market Rate (RMR) ceilings, ensuring fair and consistent subsidized child care payment rates. Counties manage voucher distribution directly or collaborate with local Alternate Payment Programs (APPs) and/or Resource and Referral (R&R) Programs to streamline the process.
Child Care Navigators: Guiding Families Through the System
Navigating the child care landscape can be daunting, especially for families involved in foster care. The Bridges Foster Care Program addresses this through Child Care Navigators. These professionals, employed by local R&R Programs, serve as dedicated guides for eligible families. Navigators work closely with families and authorized individuals to assess child care options tailored to a child’s age and specific needs. They provide invaluable consumer education, empowering families to make informed decisions about child care. These navigator services are accessible to any child currently in foster care, children who have returned to their homes after foster care, and children whose parents are engaged with the child welfare system. This ensures a wide net of support for families at various stages of involvement.
Trauma-Informed Care Training: Empowering Providers
Understanding the impact of trauma is crucial when caring for children in foster care. The Bridges Foster Care Program incorporates Trauma-Informed Care Training and Coaching to equip child care providers with essential skills and knowledge. This training focuses on practical strategies for effectively working with children who have experienced trauma. By providing child care providers with these specialized tools, the program aims to create a more supportive and understanding environment for children. The California Child Care Resource and Referral Network has developed a comprehensive training curriculum and manages the certification of trainers within local R&R Programs. This standardized curriculum ensures consistent, high-quality training across participating programs.
Stipends for Child Care Providers: Ensuring Program Sustainability
To further strengthen the Bridges Foster Care Program, stipends are available to eligible child care providers who serve children receiving Bridge Program child care subsidies. These stipends are accessible to Centers, Family Child Care Homes, and License-Exempt Providers (often referred to as Family, Friend, or Neighbor (FFN) Providers). These financial stipends are designed to alleviate some of the ongoing financial pressures faced by child care providers. Factors such as decreased enrollment, increased teacher-to-child ratios, and the costs associated with enhanced hygiene protocols, particularly heightened during and after the pandemic, can strain resources. These stipends offer crucial financial relief, helping to maintain the quality and availability of care within the Bridges Foster Care Program.
For further inquiries regarding the Bridges Foster Care Program, please reach out to the Child Care Programs Bureau at [email protected].
