Established in 1977, the California Alternative Payment Program Association (CAPPA) was created to serve as a voice for a mixed delivery system of public and private community based agencies dedicated to connecting working poor families and their children to early education and development programs.  Agencies contract with the California Department of Education (CDE) to distribute federal and state child care and development subsidies (vouchers) for CalWORKs and eligible working poor families.   Alternative Payment Programs (APPs) support hundreds of thousands of working families and children by ensuring parental choice of child focused programs meets both parent needs of working and child needs of learning. 

     To accomplish the mission, CAPPA:

• Advocates for changes to law and regulations that will further the mission of the Association. 
• Respects and supports the contribution of all parts of the early care and education system with the end outcome of supporting parental choice in securing child care. 
• Educates state and federal legislative/stakeholders regarding the necessity of local public and private APPs dedicated to keeping families working while children are learning. 
• Collaborates with legislative, regulatory, community-based organizations, centers, providers and parents to ensure that working families receive the highest level of support of which they are eligible. 
• Facilitates active communication and interactive dialogue amongst all APPs, county social service agencies, state and federal administrative agencies, centers, providers and parents regarding breaking information, best practices, shared concerns, and continual dynamics of change.
• Serves as a repository of data and information for all stakeholders needing detailed information on CalWORKs, general child care, and need for child care within the state.