CHILDCARE RESOURCES HUB

California Department of Social Services offers the Child Care Search website to help parents and guardians find licensed childcare providers in your area. You can find care for a range of services from infant care to school aged children ages 5-17.

(F5MC)First 5 Monterey County (F5MC) also offers valuable resources such as the Kit for New Parents. Becoming a new parent can be an exciting and overwhelming experience. F5MC offers free kits to new parents, filled with important information and resources on health, nutrition, safety, and positive discipline to support parents during this precious time.

The County offers all permanent employees with an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at no cost. EAP offers a wide array of resources focused on employee well-being and work-life balance to include unlimited consultations and referrals for childcare, adoption, and K-12 & higher education resources. Contact FEI EAP at 800-638-3327 or at myassistanceprogram.com/fei and use code “monterey” to access their services today.

The County of Monterey recognizes the profound importance of family, and we are committed to supporting our employees in their personal and family lives. To further our dedication to employee well-being and work-life balance, the county has established the Family Care and Medical Leave Policy to include baby bonding leave. The arrival of a new child is a cherished and transformative moment in an employee's life, and we understand the significance of this experience. Baby bonding time is crucial for both the child's development and the parent's well-being. Our policy is designed to provide our employees with the time and flexibility they need to bond with their newborn or newly adopted child during those crucial early months. For more information on visit the County’s Leave of Absence page.

The County of Monterey offers all permanent employees a Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP). A DCAP is a valuable financial tool that can greatly assist parents in managing the costs associated with childcare. With DCAP, parents can set aside a portion of their pre-tax income to cover eligible dependent care expenses, providing them with several key benefits:

• Tax Savings: By contributing to a DCAP, parents can reduce their taxable income, resulting in lower federal and state income taxes.
• Affordable Childcare: DCAP funds can be used to pay for a variety of eligible dependent care expenses, including daycare, after-school programs, summer camps, and even some in-home care services. This helps parents make childcare more affordable and accessible.
• Flexible Spending: Parents have the flexibility to allocate up to $5,000 of their income per year to the DCAP, which they can then use to cover childcare costs as they incur them. This flexible approach allows them to tailor their contributions to their individual needs.