| Questions &
Answers about the CARES Program
Q: How do I determine which Track level I am eligible for?
A: The Track levels are determined by the amount of training/education a provider has received. For help in determining your track, visit http://www.childaction.org/providers/services/cares/2011/resources.asp.
Q: How do I know what documentation to submit for my Track?
A: The specific documentation requirements are listed in the CARES Application Booklet, which all applicants received at the orientation and are also available on the Child Action, Inc. website at http://www.childaction.org/providers/services/cares/2011/resources.asp.
Q: Do I need to submit an official transcript?
A: No. Unofficial transcript is accepted.
Q: How will foreign transcripts be handled for applicants who have coursework or a degree from another country?
A: Foreign transcripts must be evaluated for their U.S. equivalency before the CARES Application is submitted. The transcript evaluation must be performed by an agency that is accredited by the Commission for Foreign Transcript Evaluation. For more information, please visit http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl635.pdf.
Q: What coursework will be accepted?
A: Acceptable coursework differs by Track and there is very specific college coursework required in order to earn a Child Development Teacher Permit and/or degree in Child Development. Do not take college classes in hope that they will help you qualify for a CARES stipend. It is best that you consult with an academic advisor at the college you are attending to ensure that you are on the right path. Use the Education/Training Portfolio provided during the CARES orientation to serve as a guide for what coursework is accepted for the CARES Program. Keep this as an ongoing record of your education and provide a copy with your application.
Q: What grades are acceptable for a CARES Stipend?
A: Coursework must be completed with a "C" grade or higher. Courses marked "D" or "F" will not be accepted. Courses marked "I" for Incomplete or "W" for Withdrawn will not be accepted. A "Pass" in a Pass/Fail course will be accepted and a "CR" for credit in a Credit/No Credit course will be accepted.
For those who are interested in Track 5B (ECERS) and are attending the ECERS class at Los Rios Community College, you must earn an “A” in the class to be eligible for a stipend.
Q: Can the units earned through the UC Davis series count toward the CARES unit requirements?
A: No, they will not count because these units are considered continuing education units and they are not transferable to a California State University system. However, if you are applying for Track 2B or Track 5A, you can use the units towards the professional growth hours requirements for those tracks. College units can be converted to professional growth hours; 1 unit is equal to 15 professional growth hours.
Q: Can the units earned through the PITC training count toward the CARES unit requirements?
A: Please see a counselor at the school that you are attending with the course description from the PITC training and get approval that the units either apply towards an AA degree or are transferrable towards a BA degree.
Q: If I have a BA in Liberal Studies and am working towards a credential in early education will that count for CARES?
A: Yes, as long as you have taken the required 6 units of course work in ECE/CD and the courses you are taking apply to earning your credential.
Q: How do I apply for a Child Development Permit?
A: You must visit the State of California, Commission on Teacher Credentialing website at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/how-to-apply.html. If you would like your fees to be reimbursed, you can visit the Child Development Training Consortium at http://www.childdevelopment.org/cs/cdtc/print/htdocs/services_permit.htm for more information.
Q: How do I submit documentation of submitted application for my Child Development Permit?
A: You must submit a copy of the permit application signed by the Liaison at the college you are attending or submit proof that the application packet has been submitted by certified mail.
Q: How do I obtain a copy of my Child Development Permit?
A: You must visit the State of California, Commission on Teacher Credentialing website at https://teachercred.ctc.ca.gov/teachers/PublicSearchProxy.
Q: What is the Education/Training Portfolio?
A: For more information on the portfolio see the CARES Application Booklet, which all applicants receive at a CARES orientation, or the Child Action, Inc. website at http://www.childaction.org/providers/services/cares/2011/resources.asp. However, an official Education Plan from the college you are attending is acceptable for the Sacramento CARES program.
Q: How do I submit professional growth training I attended outside of Child Action, Inc.?
A: You must submit the certificate received and the flyer for the training. The certificate must have your name, hours of training, and the date of the training listed.
Q: I need an Environmental Assessment conducted. What do I need to do?
A: If you work at a publicly-funded child care program, you can submit the assessment that you are required to complete per state mandate. If you work in a privately funded program, Child Action, Inc. will assign an approved assessor to conduct an environmental assessment of your program.
Assessments conducted by Beanstalk or the Preschool Bridging Model (PBM) may be submitted as documentation for the Environment Assessment requirement.
Q: Does everyone who applies for the CARES program receive a stipend?
A: No. Due to funding limitations, NOT ALL ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS are guaranteed a stipend. A lottery will be held to determine all eligible applicants’ stipend.
Q: When will stipend checks be available?
A: Stipend checks are processed in Spring.
Q: Is the CARES Stipend check considered taxable income?
A: Yes, the stipend check is considered taxable income and should be reported to the Internal Revenue Service. A 1099 form will be sent to the home of every recipient who received a stipend. It is the responsibility of the CARES stipend recipient to notify Child Action, Inc. of any change of address, to ensure that all proper information reaches the CARES recipient.
Q: I work in a school age program. Am I eligible for a CARES stipend?
A: Staff working in private facilities must be caring for children 0 to 5 years old, who are not enrolled in kindergarten. If you are caring for children over 5 years old in a private setting, you are not eligible.
Q: What if I don’t submit everything that is required?
A: All information on the application must be supplied at the CARES Orientation and all supporting documentation must be provided on the due date. Applicants that are missing information or documentation will be considered incomplete and will not qualify for a stipend. Child Action, Inc. will not be responsible for missing or incomplete information. We strongly encourage you to use the Track checklist to ensure that you are not missing any documentation.
Q: How do I make an appeal?
A: You have the right to file an appeal if you believe we have made an error in determining you ineligible for the CARES Program. The Sacramento County Local Child Care and Development Planning Council set the policies for the Sacramento CARES Program and hear all appeals. Appeals must be mailed or delivered to: Donna Sneeringer, Public Affairs Manager at Child Action, Inc., 9800 Old Winery Place, Sacramento, CA 95827. Appeals must be made in writing and will not be accepted by fax or email. An appeal will be reviewed within 30 days of the receipt of the appeal request. The applicant will be mailed a written response with the decision made by the Council within 10 working days of the decision. The decision of the Sacramento Local Child Care and Development Planning Council is the final step in the appeals process. |
