Los Angeles County Public Health announced Wednesday that $15 million of CARES Act funding will be allocated for childcare for families with essential worker guardians and low-income families.

Public Health announced Wednesday that the Board of Supervisors allocated $15 million in CARES Act funding for childcare vouchers to serve essential workers and low-income families in the County.

In partnership with the Los Angeles County Early Childhood Education COVID-19 Response Team, Public Health will support the funding distribution.

The Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education will contract with the Child Care Alliance, a network of LA County Resource and Referral /Alternative Payment agencies, to distribute vouchers.

To expedite the process, the funding will be infused into the existing voucher system. Families seeking early care and education services may access vouchers by calling 888-92-CHILD (888-922-4453). Eligibility for these vouchers is set by the state.

The Governor has allowed local health officers the discretion to grant waivers to school districts and private schools that would permit schools to reopen for in-classroom instruction for students in grades TK through grade 6. Superintendents must submit school district waiver requests to re-open for approval by the local health officer.

The decision to grant a waiver will be based on ensuring that schools are able to open in full adherence with the L.A. County school re-opening protocols, along with reviewing epidemiological data for each school district.

The process requires consultation with the California Department of Public Health prior to accepting or rejecting waiver applications. The application process will be available online and is planned to be launched by the end of the week.

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