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Reason for Needing Service

The ‘Reason for Needing Service’ field indicates the reason a family qualifies as needing California State Preschool Program (CSPP) services, as specified in California Education Code (EC) Section 8208(d)(4).

Where to Find It

  • On the Early Education Division (EED) 9600 Form, Section III. “Reason for Needing Services."
  • If more than one need is selected on the EED 9600 Form, select the Family’s primary reason for needing services.

Rules and Guidelines

  • This information field is required. Only one option may be selected.
  • If more than one need is selected on the EED 9600 form, select the family's primary reason.

Below are the possible choices:

  • A – Homeless
  • B – Working
  • C – CPS or At-Risk
  • D – Parent/Caretaker Incapacitated
  • E – Education or Training
  • F – Actively Seeking Employment
  • G – Seeking Permanent Housing
  • H – No Need (Including Part-Day)
  • I – Qualified Neighborhood School
  • J - California Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Program Activity

Error Messages and Solutions

  • The “Reason for Needing Service” field is required and cannot be left blank (WI146) [801A Electronic File Transfer], [801A Input/Edit].
    • Problem: No “Reason for Needing Service” is provided.
    • Solution: Enter the “Reason for Needing Service” information (i.e. single letter from A through I).
  • The "Reason for Needing Service" is invalid (WI147).
    • Problem: A “Reason for Needing Service” field that contains symbols, numbers, or a decimal is entered. A valid “Reason for Needing Service” field contains only one letter. The system will not save entries that contain numbers, symbols, or decimal points.
    • Solution: Confirm that the “Reason for Needing Service” field is entered correctly (i.e., is a letter from A through I).
  • The Reason for Needing Service Code 'J - CalWORKs Program Activity' can only be selected if the family's CalWORKs Recipient status is either: 01 - Adult(s) and Child(ren) Cash Aid or 03 - Diversion Services. (WI209)
    • Problem: The Reason for Needing Service Code 'J - CalWORKs Program Activity' is selected, but the family’s CalWORKs Recipient status is a value that is not among the allowable values: 01 - Adult(s) and Child(ren) Cash Aid or 03 - Diversion Services.
    • Solution: Confirm the Reason for Needing Service Code and family CalWORKs Recipient status are correct. Either the Reason for Needing Service Code needs to be changed to a different code or, if the Reason for Needing Service Code 'J - CalWORKs Program Activity' is the correct code, the family’s CalWORKs Recipient status needs to be changed to either 01 - Adult(s) and Child(ren) Cash Aid or 03 - Diversion Services.

Return to Appendix A: Data Definitions

Questions:   CDMIS | CDMIS@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Monday, July 27, 2026
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