Welcome.

Established in 1977, Thriving Families CA (TFC) was created to serve as a voice for a mixed delivery system of public and private community based agencies dedicated to connecting poor families and their children to child care and early learning.  Agencies contract with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) 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.  


May 12, 2025

Community based public and private Alternative Payment Programs (APPs) support the needs of working moms and dads with access to child care and other supports earmarked to lift families up from poverty. During the pandemic, these programs have distributed emergency essential worker child care vouchers, family child care and center stipends & PPE, diapers, food and clothing.  
See how Child Development Associates is supporting the needs of family child care providers and families in San Diego County.

Join Thriving Families CA (TFC) Today!

Your membership in TFC is one of the best investments you can make in your business. Don't wait another minute! Join or renew today and take advantage of all the benefits of membership. Lend your voice to TFC's advocacy and get first-hand information about the state of child care issues in California.

Learn More About Membership Here!

Latest News (Updated 5/9/2025)

  • In collaboration with HeadStart CA and our federal advocacy partners, TFC will be hosting resources and updates on HeadStart and federal social safety net programs on our new webpage HeadStart and Social Safety Net Programs.

  • SAVE THE DATE: Equity-Centered Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) Advisory Panel 

    The California Department of Social Services is pleased to announce the sixth convening of the Equity-Centered QRIS Advisory Panel. The sixth Panel meeting will be June 17, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. 

    Please save the following details for the next meeting:


Register for the TFC Weekly Member Connections Tuesday calls Here.