CHAPTER 9. Child Care and Development Services for Children with Special Needs [10260. - 10263.]

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC 9.

in effect

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10260. Section 10260.

(a) The department shall ensure that eligible children with exceptional needs are given equal access to all child care and development programs. Available federal and state funds for children with exceptional needs above the standard reimbursement amount shall be used to assist agencies in developing and supporting appropriate programs for these children. (b) To provide children with exceptional needs with additional access to child care and development programs, the department shall establish alternate appropriate placements, such as self-contained programs and innovative programs using the least restrictive environment. These programs shall be started as expansion funds become available and shall be expanded throughout the implementation of the plan. The department shall utilize existing program models and input from program specialists to develop new program criteria and guidelines for programs serving children with exceptional needs. These programs may serve children with exceptional needs up to 21 years of age. (c) Any child with exceptional needs served in child care and development programs shall be afforded all rights and protections guaranteed in state and federal laws and regulations for individuals with exceptional needs. (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the department may develop unique reimbursement rates for, and make reimbursements to, child care and development programs that received state funding for the 1980–81 fiscal year and serve severely disabled children, as defined in subdivision (y) of Section 10213.5, when all of the following conditions exist: (1) Eligibility for enrollment of a severely disabled child in the program is the sole basis of the child’s need for service. (2) Services are provided to severely disabled children from birth to 21 years of age. (3) No fees are charged to the parents of the severely disabled children receiving the services. (e) The department shall include child care and development providers in all personnel development for persons providing services for children with exceptional needs.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10261. Section 10261.

A contractor providing services pursuant to a general child care contract, a campus child care contract, a migrant child care contract, or an alternative payment child care contract is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101, et seq.).

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10262. Section 10262.

(a) All child care and development programs shall include plans or programs, or both, for the care of the children when they are sick. These plans shall be age appropriate and parents shall be included in the planning and evaluation. The department shall disseminate information regarding effective sick child care models to all child care and development programs. (b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to allow the practice of medicine without a license.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 10263. Section 10263.

(a) The department and the local county welfare department shall enter into contracts which establish the procedures for serving and referring a child in need of care as part of the provision of protective services pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 16500) of Part 4. The department may contract with another appropriate community agency which provides services or referrals, or both, for the prevention or intervention of child abuse or neglect if no such contract for child care services exists between the department and the county welfare department. (b) The contracts shall specify the resource and referral program or operating agency or agencies providing child care and development pursuant to this chapter in the county that the local contracting agency shall contact to secure care for a child needing protective services. If an operating agency is unable to enroll the child, the local contracting agency described in subdivision (a) with the assistance of the providers of local resources and referral services shall locate services for the family. Payments for such located services in the absence of other funds shall be made by the local contracting agency. (c) The need for child care funded pursuant to this section shall be reviewed by the local contracting agency no less than every three months.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026