Two of SNCS’s impactful programs—the CalWORKs Child Care Stages and the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children—are currently enrolling eligible families.
CalWORKs Child Care
Families participating in CalWORKs may need child care to support their participation in welfare-to-work activities. Child care is provided in three stages to ensure a smooth transition for families as they progress toward independence.
- Stage 1: For families actively receiving CalWORKs Cash Aid and participating in an approved welfare-to-work plan. Referrals and payment support are coordinated through the county. SNCS helps families identify quality child care providers and reimburse providers directly.
To apply in Nevada County: Contact your CalWORKs social worker at (530) 265- 1760.
- Stage 2: Available to current and former CalWORKs recipients who still have an eligible need for child care. Families may be referred directly from Stage 1 or enroll within 24 months of ending cash aid.
Visit BenefitsCal.com to access your discontinuance notice, then contact SNCS at (530) 272-8866.
- Stage 3: Supports long-term care for families beyond 24 months after cash aid ends, as long as they remain income eligible and funding is available. Stage 3 enrollment is only available to families who are transferring from Stage 2.
These stages ensure that families don’t face child care disruptions as they work toward employment, education, and self-sufficiency.
Bridge Program: Supporting Foster Children Through Transitional Child Care
SNCS also proudly supports the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children, a critical service for children experiencing foster placement or whose parents are in foster care. The program helps foster families secure immediate, short-term child care while working toward stable, long-term solutions.
The Bridge Program includes:
- Child Care Voucher or Reimbursement: A time-limited payment (6–12 months) to help caregivers and parenting foster youth afford child care from birth to age 12 (and up to age 21 for children with exceptional needs).
- Child Care Navigator Support: SNCS guides families through the child care process, helps identify appropriate care settings, connects them to local resources, and creates a sustainable child care plan.
- Trauma-Informed Care Training for Providers: SNCS offers training and coaching for child care providers to build trauma-informed environments that meet the unique needs of children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or family separation.
In Nevada County, eligible families are referred to SNCS directly by child welfare agencies. The Bridge Program is a vital step in ensuring foster children are cared for in safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environments. Families can contact their social worker for more details about a referral on the 24-hour hotline 530-273-4291. The Bridge program is not available in Sierra County. Sierra County administers their own CalWORKs Stage 1 child care.
Why It Matters
Access to child care is a cornerstone of family stability. Whether helping single parents attend college classes, enabling foster parents to return to work, or supporting a family through a period of transition, SNCS’s programs address the urgent and long-term needs of our community’s most vulnerable families.
By easing the burden of child care costs, offering expert guidance, and advocating for trauma-informed care, SNCS strengthens families and promotes equity for all children— regardless of their circumstances.
Sierra Nevada Children’s Services- For over 45 years, Sierra Nevada Children’s Services (SNCS) has empowered families in Nevada and Sierra counties through quality child care, parent education, and community support. With locations in Grass Valley, Truckee, and Loyalton, SNCS connects families to crucial resources that promote lifelong success.
SNCS Programs & Services:
- Quality Childcare Referrals
- Childcare Subsidy Programs
- Parent Education & Workshops
- Community Events
- Lending Libraries & Play Space
- Playgroups each week
- Family Socials
To learn more or begin the referral process, contact SNCS at (530) 272-8866 or visit www.sncs.org.