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Child Care Resource & Referral Seeking New Providers (Read more...)

Jan 2025

Debbie Guy, PRS Child Care Resource & Referral Coordinator

Child Care Resource & Referral Seeking New Providers

Plumas Rural Services (PRS) operates the Child Care Resource & Referral (R&R) program in Plumas County. Funded by the California Department of Social Services, the R&R program offers support both to parents looking for local child care and to child care providers and those interested in becoming providers in Plumas County.

R&R has funding available for individuals who are interested in becoming a child care provider. The program can reimburse up to $1,000 in expenses, which is typically more than is required to start a home-based child care business. Providers can get tax business deductions (such as for a portion of rent or mortgage payments, utilities, supplies), stay home with their kids, and make anywhere from $35-$45 daily per child in their care. The R&R Coordinator guides new providers along the way, providing assistance with meeting requirements and advocating with Community Care Licensing. A new provider can be licensed within 1-3 months, depending on how quickly they’d like to get things completed.

The steps of becoming a provider are: attend a licensing orientation and trainings for child health and safety, CPR/First Aid, and the Mandated Reporting Law; provide proof of immunizations for pertussis and measles and a flu shot; complete a tuberculosis screening; submit a License Application; undergo a LIVESCAN fingerprint/background check; and have a pre-license visit from a Licensing Analyst.

After getting licensed, providers can continue to get assistance and support from the R&R Coordinator. They can get continuing education and free trainings where incentives up to $100 value are available. The R&R Coordinator can do a home visit and provide some health & safety items free for the home that are required for licensing. Providers also receive additional resources as well as law center support for those that need it.

Providers set their own hours (part-time, full-time, after school, evenings, nights, weekends), set their own rates, choose the ages of children they’ll care for (infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age), and get cash reimbursements for serving nutritious meals/snacks. They can care for up to 8 children (more with an assistant). This is very flexible work, and the potential income is significant whether for a full-time or supplemental income.

For parents looking for child care, the Coordinator offers contact information for local providers. The program also provide referrals to other programs, such as the Child Care Payment Program (income thresholds are often higher than most people think), WIC, and the Family Empowerment Center.

Community-wide, R&R helps coordinate the Children’s Fair, annual Provider Appreciation Day, and annual Parents Conference; R&R also collaborates with everyone locally in the field of early childhood care and education. Many resources are shared on social media to inform young families about what’s happening in the area (library resources, events, etc.). More information about the R&R program can be found online at PlumasRuralServices.org/Child-Care-Resource-Referral or by calling 530-283-4453.