Share Your Voice to Inform Child Care Subsidy Rates

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has partnered with Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies (P5) to design and implement a process to gather your input.

As the state considers new ways to set state child care subsidy rates, make your voice heard by taking the CA Cost of Child Care Provider Survey and by participating in a Virtual Input Session. This is your opportunity to share what it truly costs to provide quality child care.

Congressman Kevin Kiley recently joined Child Action, Inc. (CAI) staff: CEO Adonai Mack, Senior Child Care Coordinator Irene Sak, and Public Policy Officer Heidi Keiser on a tour of Nataliia’s Montessori Family Child Care Home. During the tour, the Congressman learned about CAI’s services and experienced one of his district’s many quality child care options. He interacted with our local children as they learned through play at the Family Child Care Home (FCCH). Click here to read more.

Congressman Kiley posing

with Nataliia and children

Giving high fives!

*All photos courtesy Josiah Head,

CAI Communications Coordinator

Budget News

Good news! On September 13, the Governor signed the Early Education and Care Budget Trailer bills into law. If you’d like a refresher on what is included in those bills, check out our budget update, which offers insight into some key ECE provisions.

Click here for more information.

We would like to thank our assemblymembers, senators and the Governor, for passing an early care and education budget that prioritizes the needs of our children—our community’s most vulnerable residents—and their families.

Reminders for Subsidy Parents

 and Providers

·Review each child’s Child Care Schedule (CCS) to make sure the care provided is within the approved hours and days. Care that is provided outside of the hours or days approved on the CCS will not be paid. If there is a discrepancy between care that is approved and care that is being used, parents must notify their assigned Child Care Subsidy Coordinator (CCSC) of the change. We cannot change the schedule without the parent’s authorization.

·If you are providing care for a school age child, please make sure the attendance form is completed with the correct Time Out and Time In when the child leaves and returns from school, if applicable.



·Review CCS for school age children to make sure the child’s school track is correct. Parent must notify their assigned CCSC if the child’s school track is different than what is displayed on the CCS.

For questions, please call (916) 369-0191 or email info@childaction.org.

Understanding Temperament: The Spirited Child

Temperament refers to each person’s natural personality traits. It can impact how we respond to our environment and to other people. There are three main temperament types; flexible, slow to warm-up, and strong-willed or spirited. Children who are highly spirited are often labeled as having behavior problems. But you can help shift that perspective.

No Bad Behaviors - It's All Communication!

Behavior is communication. As children grow and learn, some of the ways they communicate can feel challenging. What is important to remember is they are not “acting bad,” they are learning how to express themselves. Tantrums, screaming, hitting, refusing to follow directions, interrupting, running in the house, hiding things, and lying are all ways that children explore how to achieve their wants and needs and how to show their feelings.

Click here to learn strategies for addressing behavior and temperament

FREE COVID TESTS Beginning September 25, 2023, all residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home COVID tests from USPS.com. Visit https://special.usps.com/testkits to order yours today. 

All are invited - Virtual Forum hosted by CDSS

The forum will focus on math and science, the importance of play, equity, math mindset, and activities to try with children. Visit https://mailchi.mp/dss.ca.gov/child-care-bulletin-21-10387501?e=37275c1940 to learn more.

WestEd Webinars

The California Department of Social Services is excited to announce that we they are partnering with WestEd to offer a free expanded virtual webinar series on inclusion. This training is for all who wish to support inclusion and inclusive practices in their child care and development program, child care home, or in programs they support.

Visit https://mailchi.mp/dss.ca.gov/child-care-bulletin-21-10387537?e=37275c1940 to learn more.

Breast cancer can impact us all. Visit Living Beyond Breast Cancer's resources page to learn more about the types of breast cancer, symptoms, testing, and treatment: https://www.lbbc.org/about-breast-cancer

Domestic Violence Resources

WEAVE’s mission is to promote safe and healthy relationships and support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and sex trafficking. WEAVE’s vision is a community free of violence and abuse. WEAVE also operates several thrift stores where all donations support their programs and services.

WEAVE’s services may be accessed through their support line: 916-920-2952. Visit their website to learn more https://www.weaveinc.org/.

My Sister’s House serves Asian and Pacific Islanders and other underserved women and children impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking by providing a culturally appropriate and responsive safe haven, job training, and community services.

Access My Sister’s House by calling 916-428-3271 or visiting http://www.my-sisters-house.org/

It's AMAZING what one parent can do! Find out how YOU can be an advocate for your family and community through the Sacramento Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI).

Provider Resource - Beanstalk Meal Program

Explore stories that playfully highlight those behaviors that can sometimes feel challenging when caring for children. Celebrate their big, active movements, their focus and enthusiasm, and their independence and persistence with books that show that each person’s temperament is just right for them. 

by Karma Wilson

and Suzanne Watts

By Chieri Uegaki

and Stephane Jorisch

By Mo Willems

Child Action, Inc. |childaction.org