New For You
At YMCA Childcare Resource Service
Stay connected to YMCA Childcare Resource Service!
Simply fill out our form to receive updates on the latest parenting workshops, support groups, family-friendly events, and community resources.
FAMILY RESOURCES
YMCA Mental Health Warmline
The Warmline is a free, confidential, non-crisis phone service for individuals and caregivers across San Diego County. Whether you’re navigating stress, looking for guidance around parenting, or exploring mental health support, trained staff are here to listen, talk things through, and connect you with resources that fit your needs.
Call 1-866-937-9276 or visit ymcasd.org/warmline. Download the flyer for more information. English | Español
Free Medi-Cal Services
Neighborhood Networks will pair you with your own care manager, who can help you set health goals, connect with needed services, and improve your overall health. Download the flyer for more information. English | Español
Need Help Paying for Child Care? Eligibility for child care subsidies has been extended to families who participate in government programs such as Medi-Cal, CalFRESH (SNAP), California Food Assistance Program, WIC, The Federal FoodDistribution Program on Indian Reservations, Head Start, Early Head Start, or other means-tested government programs. Learn more at www.childcaresandiego.com.
Get Support with the tough stuff and help your child thrive. BrightLife Kids — a CalHOPE program by Brightlife — is designed by youth behavioral health experts to give you and your child the emotional and behavioral support your kids need to succeed. Download the flyer for more inorfmation. Sign up for free at brightlife.kids.
NEW FACEBOOK GROUP FOR RESPITE FAMILIES & PROVIDERS
JOIN OUR NEW FACEBOOK GROUP!
The Y is committed to ensuring that everyone has the care and environment they need to flourish. That’s why we’re excited to invite you to join our new private Facebook group for YMCA Respite families and providers!
This group is a supportive space for families and providers to share respite care needs, provider availability, resources, and encouragement with one another. We hope it makes respite care a little easier and helps you feel more connected to our community!
Springtime Gardening Activity
Springtime planting activity
Gardening encourages children to slow down, observe nature and care for living things. These are all valuable skills that extend far beyond the classroom!
Keep reading for some easy ways to show your children the joys of gardening.
IMPORTANT Notices for providers
An update on child care funding
You may have seen recent news coverage about a proposed pause on future federal child care funding in several states, including California. While this action was announced, it is currently under legal review, and a federal court has temporarily blocked the pause from taking effect. We will continue supporting families and child care providers as usual. We are closely monitoring the situation and will share updates if new information becomes available.
As Kim McDougal, Senior Vice President of Social Services & Chief Impact Officer, shared in a recent San Diego Union Tribune interview, “Child care providers are some of the most hardworking, selfless, incredible humans—raising our future generation.” We see that dedication every day, and we remain deeply committed to supporting you and the vital role you play in our community.
If you have questions or would like to talk through concerns, please contact us at crsapprovider@ymcasd.org.
Getting started with learning stream
We’re excited to share that our upcoming YMCA CRS Resource and Referral Trainings for this year are now available, along with an important update to how you will register for trainings moving forward. We have transitioned to a new registration platform, Learning Stream, and will no longer be using the ECE Workforce Registry for training registrations.
How to Register for Trainings:
To continue registering for YMCA CRS Resource and Referral Trainings, please create an account with Learning Stream. Once your account is set up, we encourage you to take some time to explore the trainings currently available and become familiar with the new system. Additional trainings will be added to the calendar as the year progresses, so we recommend checking back regularly for new opportunities.
Questions? Contact our Training Manager, Dani Cruz at acruz@ymcsd.org or email mytraining@ymcasd.org
Complete Your Non-Operational Reimbursement Form
The 2025-2026 Non-Operational Days Reimbursement Request Form is available in CareConnect for your review and completion. Licensed providers may request payment for up to 10 Non-Operational (closure) days per fiscal year. To receive payment for these days, you must do the following:
- Complete and submit the Non-Operational Days Reimbursement Request Form.
- Submit your typed daycare business policies that support your closure schedule.
UPDATE YOUR BUSINESS PROFILE
Access the My Child Care Plan platform to update your profile quickly and conveniently from home or the office. This helps us continue to refer your program.
Update the “About Me” Section: Take the opportunity to enhance your child care referral profile by highlighting what makes your program stand out. You can claim and complete your child care profile on the My Child Care Plan platform, or you can fill out the About Me Form and a staff member will add the information to your profile for you.
Need help? Call the Referral Line at 1-800-481-2151. CRS staff will guide you through the process and ensure your profile is up to date. You can also request a text or email as an alternative method to update, or by completing this Form. [OR]
NOTE: In order to meet federal requirements, all licensed child care facilities are now listed on California’s consumer education website, MyChildCarePlan.org. If you operate a licensed child care program in California, your facility should now be included in the child care search directory. LEARN MORE
Provider RESOURCES
IECMH Network
Infant and Early Child Mental Health Network offers no cost infant and early childhood mental health consultation services, supports and resources for all early learning and care providers in California.
New Website for Child Care Providers
Have you heard the news? YMCA CRS recently launched a new website for child care providers in San Diego! Click here to explore our newest resource hub for providers looking for tips, tools, and new ideas for growing their business. Be sure to share it far and wide!
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Educational Reimbursement
Did you know that child care providers can get reimbursed up to $1,000 for tuition and textbooks? If you work in an early learning setting and/or are enrolled in an ECE or Child Development program at a San Diego County community college, you may qualify for reimbursement! Available for courses completed between Jan 1-June 30, 2026.
Click here to see if you qualify or view this flyer for more details.
“All Our Kin” Business Curriculum Training Series
On March 28, 2026, the Y celebrated the newest graduates of the All Our Kin Business Curriculum Training Series, a 10-week virtual program for family child care providers. Organized by Alba Munoz, this fourth cohort learned essential skills in contracts, policies, marketing, and financial management. They also gained a network of colleagues who can continue to support their growth and success!
Interested in joining the next cohort?
Any Family Child Care Providers in San Diego County interested in joining a future cohort of the business trainings series can complete this interest form to join the waitlist!
Child Care Licensing: How to Apply & Maintain Compliance
Take the guesswork out of getting licensed with these step-by-step guides for opening a child care business!
The Marketplace
Refresh your child care space without overspending! Our Marketplace makes it easy for local providers to buy and sell gently used toys and supplies. Start selling
On-Site Photography Services
We offer on-site photography sessions where a staff member will visit your child care program and help you capture photos to use for social media and digital marketing. If you are interested in having someone come to your program to take photos, please fill out this form or call the Resource and Referral line to speak to a Childcare Navigator at 1-800-481-2151.
upcoming trainings
Integrated Pest Management & Eco-Healthy / Manejo de Plagas y Eco Saludable
Learn how low-risk pest management and eco-healthy practices protect children, support safer environments, and meet Healthy Schools Act requirements.
- Date: Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 – Register Now
- Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (PST)
- Location: Zoom
- Date: jueves, 30 de abril de 2026 – Regístrate ahora
- Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (PST)
- Location: Zoom
The Growing Brain: Everyday Play / El cerebro en crecimiento: El juego diario
Learn how low-risk pest management and eco-healthy practices protect children, support safer environments, and meet Healthy Schools Act requirements.
- Date: Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 – Register Now
- Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM (PST)
- Location: Zoom
- Date: Jueves, 14 de mayo – Regístrate ahora
- Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (PST)
- Location: Zoom
share your provider story
Your experiences matter
Do you have a meaningful experience or reflection that you’d like to share? With your permission, we’d love to share your story to help raise awareness about the importance of child care and the role providers play every day.
Email us at crs@ymcasd.org to share your story!
Community Events
Conversation & Connection Groups
A SPACE FOR PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND PROVIDERS TO CONNECT
Our Community Conversation and Connection Groups offer a warm, welcoming space for parents, caregivers, and child care providers to come together and explore important questions across different topics. By sharing our unique experiences of raising our own families and children, we can learn from each other in valuable ways!
- Dates: April 27 & May 18 – Register here
- Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
- Location: Copley-Price Family YMCA
Open to members and nonmembers. Child care and dinner provided!
Contact Christie Yorty at cyorty@ymcasd.org with questions. View Flyer for more information.
Medi-Cal Transformation (CalAIM) Events
YOUR MEDI-CAL BENEFITS JUST GOT BETTER!
The YMCA of San Diego County, in partnership with the County of San Diego, hosted a series of free events across the region to raise awareness of Medi-Cal Transformation, also known as CalAIM, and new services now available to Medi-Cal members, such as Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports.
If you or someone you care for receives Medi-Cal, watch this webinar to learn more about these resources and how you can get connected!
Additional Resources:
Webinar resources will also be posted to the SDAIM website, where ECM and CS flyers are available in 8 languages.
Thank you for your help in spreading the word and connecting more members of the San Diego community to these valuable services! Please email SDAIM.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov if you have additional questions.
BUILDING BONDS COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
TRAINING FOR PARENTS & CAREGIVERS
The YMCA’s Building Bonds community workshop provides support, guidance, and resources to caregivers of children and youth who have experienced trauma. Through a focus on Connection, Empowerment, and Collaboration, Building Bonds helps caregivers build trust, develop co-regulation strategies, and strengthen family resilience.
Contact Larry Banks at lbanks@ymcasd.org with questions. Click here to register.
Upcoming Trainings:
- March 16 | 10am-12pm, Virtual (Zoom)
- March 18 | 10am-12pm, Virtual (Zoom)
- March 24 | 10am-12pm, Virtual (Zoom)
This initiative is part of the California Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) and is supported by Heluna Health and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Learn more about Building Bonds here.
KEEP IN TOUCH
CONNECT ON SOCIAL media
CONTACT US
If you have any questions or concerns, our team is here to help! Call us at (619) 521-3055 during regular business hours or send an email: childcareresourceservice@ymcasd.org and we’ll get back to you soon!
