Programs

Resource and Referrals for Parents and Providers

The Resource and Referral program offers a variety of services for families and child care providers.

Services for families include:

  • Child Care referrals and information about selecting quality care. 
  • Resources to help strengthen families. 
  • Family Events such as Kids’ Expo on the Western Slope, Day of the Young Child in South Lake Tahoe and Spring Celebrations in Alpine County. 

Services for providers include:

  • The Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP) is a recruitment and training project for Family Child Care Providers. CCIP staff are available to support providers in the licensing process, provide training , answer questions, and connect you with resources.
  • Provider support available to answer questions and provide resources related to all aspects of child care in a family child care home or center. 
  • Education and training to enhance the quality child care.
Programs

First Aid/CPR & Health/Safety

Catalyst Community offers EMSA approved Child Care Provider Training that meets the 16 hour Health and Safety Training Requirement. This includes eight hours of CPR & First Aid and eight hours of Preventative Health Practices. We offer partial reimbursements for Health and Safety class fees as long as funding lasts.

Check our calendar for dates and locations. If a convenient class is not available, we will refer you to other local resources. We also offer partial reimbursements in some counties for Health and Safety class fees as long as funding lasts.  

Child Care Food Program

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is overseen by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). Catalyst Community acts as a sponsor to child care providers to help children in childcare homes receive nutritious meals. Exposure to good nutrition at an early age benefits children by promoting healthful eating habits that last a lifetime. Catalyst Community reimburses licensed family child care providers and licensed exempt (Trustline) providers for meals and snacks served to children zero through twelve years of age in several northern California locations.

Participating on the Catalyst Community Child Care Food Program is easy. Providers serve meals and snacks to children according to the USDA Meal Pattern Requirements. Meals and snacks are recorded daily using KidKare, a free, easy to use online computer program which can be used on a tablet or smartphone as well. At the end of each month, providers submit their claim electronically and then are reimbursed for the meals and snacks claimed according to the reimbursement rates as shown in our CACFP brochure. In addition, providers also receive assistance in menu planning, nutrition education and an informative monthly CCFP Newsletter.

Fill out the online Provider Information Form or contact the Catalyst Community Child Care Food Program today to set up an appointment and start getting paid for serving healthy meals to children!

Contact Us

Cameron Park Office 
(serving Amador, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Yolo, and Yuba Counties)

Carol Thomas, Program Manager
[email protected]
530.676.0707

Darsh Subramaniam, Admin Assistant/Monitor
[email protected]
530.676.0707

Denise Weldemere, Nutritionist/Monitor
[email protected]
669.454.6442

Gloria Pena, Nutritionist/Monitor
[email protected] (se habla español)
669.454.6443

Luisa Elias-Rumminger, Nutritionist/Monitor
[email protected] (se habla español)
669.454.6444

Sherri Arfsten, Nutritionist/Monitor
[email protected]
530.306.7772

Alternative Payments

Catalyst Community’s Alternative Payment Programs (APP) serve families in El Dorado and Alpine Counties.  

Our staff assists families in identifying child care needs and other community services that meet the specific needs of the child and family.

Eligibility for the Subsidized Child Care program is determined by guidelines set by the California Department of Education, Early Education and Support Division.

Eligible families must meet income requirements and have a need for childcare while they work, look for employment, attend training or participate in CalWORKs activities. Parents who are incapacitated, who have children at risk of abuse or neglect, or have children with special needs may also be eligible.

Parents have the freedom to choose any public or private licensed, or license exempt child care program that best fits their family’s needs.

2021-2022 Maximum gross monthly family income eligibility:

Family Size: 1–2 / Max monthly income: $5,889

Family Size: 3 / Max monthly income: $6,511

Family Size: 4 / Max monthly income: $7,441

Family Size: 5 / Max monthly income: $8,632

Family Size: 6 / Max monthly income: $9,823

Family Size: 7 / Max monthly income: $10,046

Family Size: 8 / Max monthly income: $10,269

Family Size: 9 / Max monthly income: $10,492

Family Size: 10 / Max monthly income: $10,716

Family Size: 11 / Max monthly income: $10,939

Family Size: 12 / Max monthly income: $11,162

For more information see our Need Help Paying for Childcare? page. For additional enrollment information, contact:

El Dorado County and Alpine County
Tahoe Office at 530.541.5848 or email [email protected]

El Dorado County Western Slope
Cameron Park office at 530.676.0707 or email [email protected]