BUDGET
The COVID-19 pandemic has sharply illuminated what every working family already knew, Child Care IS Essential.
Child care provides supports for both the parent/guardian and child and ensures our youngest children receive the safe and nurturing care they need to thrive. Child care also allows parents to continue working to provide for their family’s needs.
According to the Resource and Referral Network in California 33% of licensed child care centers and 14% of licensed family child care homes have closed their doors since the start of the pandemic. This represents a significant loss of an already precarious private and state supported child care capacity.
According to the National Women’s Law Center, more than 2.3 million women have left the labor market entirely since the beginning of the pandemic in the United States. Lean In and the McKinsey & Co estimate that 1 in 4 women are considering leaving the workforce or downshifting their careers due to the impact of COVID-19.
We must work together to make meaningful investments in the lives of California’s young children and their families. To do this, we need to fully fund early care and education to serve the state’s eligible children in need. Below is the ECE Coalition's budget request letter for 2022 along with a template letter for you to raise your voice with us!
PROPOSED BUDGET PLANS
January 10, 2022
May 2022
May 2, 2022
Legislative Women's Caucus Budget Letter
May 3, 2022
May 13, 2022
Joint Budget Plan from CA Legislature
June 1, 2022
2022 POLICY PRIORITIES
Workforce Support
Reimbursement Rates for Providers
The ECE Coalition requests a 20% rate increase on top of the 2018 RMR Survey for state subsidized programs and $50M for federally funded Head Start programs to account for four years of minimum wage increases and 7% inflation in 2021.
Expansion
Co-Location of Housing and ECE Facilities
The ECE Coalition requests $10 million for the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to provide start-up funding for a low-interest loan and grant program that supports financing for child care centers and family child care housing units that are co-located with affordable housing projects. HCD will also undertake a study to Inform and support this purpose.
Expansion
Child Care and Development Infrastructure Grant Fund
The ECE Coalition requests $300 million in one-time funding to ensure a targeted, strategic, and equitable approach directed to communities and families with the greatest need.
Families Access
Child Care Spaces
The ECE Coalition supports the Governor's addition of 36,000 spaces toward the goal of an additional 200,000 by 2025-26 with the adoption of rate increases & waiver of family fees.
Families Access
Waive Family Fees for Parents
The ECE Coalition requests $187 million to waive family fees through Sept 2024.
Workforce Support
Retirement and
Health Benefits
The ECE Coalition supports health care & retirement benefits and paid time off days for all child care providers.
Expansion
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
The ECE Coalition requests Restoration and Expansion of the Early Learning and Care Workforce Development Grants Program.