In 1991, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors adopted the Child Care Fees and Exactions Ordinance to expand, construct or renovate child care facilities in Santa Cruz County. Guidelines in Chapter 15.04 of the Santa Cruz County Code specify that resulting Child Care Developer Fee (CCDF) revenues must be used for projects that offset the costs of increased child care needs generated by new development in Santa Cruz County. Since then, the Human Services Department has administered a forgivable loan program on behalf of the County, via CCDF available funds. The CCDF Loan Program allows child care providers to apply for forgivable capital project loans, with funds restricted to capital projects that improve or augment the child care system, that cannot be used for operating or staffing costs. Criteria for funding loans are based on state and local requirements.
Applications that meet minimum criteria requirements as noted in the application packets are reviewed by an application review committee for funding priority. To be eligible for funding, child care providers must be located in and serve families who live and/or work in Santa Cruz County; possess or have pending a valid state child care license; and be registered in the Child Development Resource Center's (CDRC) database administered by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. Child care providers may begin applying for CCDF Loan Program funds starting the week of June 23, 2025.