Long Beach is offering up to 40 hours of free childcare weekly to residents who meet certain requirements, officials announced Tuesday.
Applications for the city’s WorkLB Childcare Program will be accepted through 5 p.m. Nov. 4.
City staff will review applications on a first come, first served basis to determine eligibility, with priority given to families in neighborhoods with disproportionately higher positivity rates of COVID-19, foster children, families with individuals experiencing disabilities or special health care needs and essential workers.
Eligible applicants who are not selected will be put on a waitlist in the event of future funding.
Income requirements:
The program will provide working parents and guardians with the ability to book up to 40 hours of free childcare services seven days a week, 24 hours a day, based on a family’s care needs, including support for children with disabilities and special needs.
Childcare providers will undergo background checks and COVID-19 health screenings and prevention instruction, which will be managed through a collaboration with Skills4Care (S4C), a community non-profit organization. S4C also will provide support to participating families and help schedule bookings for those that do not have home internet access.
The program is being paid for through the city’s CARES Act funding from the federal government.
All program details, including how to apply, are available here. Applications can also be picked up and submitted in person starting Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pacific Gateway, 4811 Airport Plaza Drive, suite 120.
For additional information about WorkLB, contact the Pacific Gateway Workforce Partnership at 562-570-3747 or visit pacific-gateway.org.