The Centralized Eligibility List (CEL) of Kern County is a list of parents who are waiting for subsidized child care or preschool services. CEL has 20 participating agencies that are funded by California State Department of Education Child Development Division and Head Start which is federally funded. Eligibility requirements for each agency vary.

When CEL participating agencies have funding or spaces available, they access the CEL to find children who meet their individual eligibility requirements. Participating agencies must move quickly to serve families so parents/ guardians need to be prepared!

• Always keep CEL application updated.
• Make sure the CEL has a current phone number and mailing address where a parent/guardian can be reached or where a message can be left.
• DO NOT DEPEND ON CALLER ID!

For most programs, families must meet eligibility requirements, based on income and family size, as established by the California Department of Education Child Development Division. Also, depending on program type, the family must establish a need for care. After an application is entered into CEL, the applicant receives a rank number based on family size and monthly income. Rank numbers range from 1-66. In many programs families with the lowest rank number are served first.

Submitting an application does not guarantee that families will receive child care or preschool services.

Families are not selected on a first come, first served basis.

All program spaces or certificated services are contingent on funding.