California Child Care Resource & Referral Network

"Millions of Americans have found themselves struggling this past year with the economic aftershocks of the covid-19 pandemic. [...] Yet poverty is still shadowed by misperceptions."

The American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law on March 11, 2021, includes several provisions that will help parents, children, and families. The legislation includes historic levels of funding for child care programs, changes to the tax code to help families afford child care, and funding for a variety of other important programs that support families and their children. In addition to direct support for families, states and local governments were provided with several sources of flexible funds which they may use to offer assistance to families with young children.

This COVID-19 vaccine toolkit from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has sample letters, posters, and other materials to help educate child care staff about the COVID-19 vaccine.

This past year has been a very difficult and trying time for many, and child care providers were no exception. We want everyone to know what you have all done and how you were able to keep your services going, so please share with us your one minute story/video statement through direct message or email it to [email protected]. National Provider Appreciation Day is May 7th!

"Not only would having a national paid-leave policy go far in addressing some of the key failings in the U.S. health care system that were uncovered by the Covid-19 pandemic, it would help more women keep their jobs [...]"

"Through the pilot program, residents will receive $500 a month for at least 18 months with no strings attached, Mayor Libby Schaaf said at a Tuesday news conference. [...] Low-income families with at least one child under 18 who are Black, indigenous or people of color will be randomly selected through an application process to vet eligibility [...]"

Wrapping up a week unlike any other with some exciting news from our Network family! We are excited to share that our very own Keisha Nzewi was elected this week to the Mount Diablo Unified School Board, and we are so proud and inspired. Now, along with serving as the Network's Public Policy Director, Keisha will be a much needed voice for East Bay kids ensuring that equity and racial justice are a priority in our education system. Brava, Keisha. Your leadership, both at the Network and in your community, is a powerful testament to being part of the change and future we want to see for all kids in California!

"The pandemic-induced child care crisis has revealed the fragility of the system and ignited a debate about why it can't be better. Why do parents in the world's wealthiest nation pay such a high price to have both children and jobs?" https://www.npr.org//the-american-government-once-offered-

"U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman in Chicago, Ill., rejected a rule Monday implemented by the Trump administration that aimed to deny green cards to immigrants utilizing food stamps and other public benefits. The decision applies nationwide, not just in the state of Illinois."

Happy Election Day to all of our Network family! Do you have a plan to vote? If you need help finding your polling place, you can find it here:https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place Your voice matters!

"Without government intervention, women’s lost wages could cost the economy $64.5 billion per year, researchers concluded. Not only would this prolong the country’s economic plight, it could put many women back into a position of social, political, and economic inferiority. Maternal labor-force participation has been increasing over time steadily, but slowly; even a 5 percent decline would undo the past 25 years of progress, researchers added." https://nymag.com//the-child-care-crisis-may-erase-25-year

Such great news from our friends at CCRC!

Haunted houses have nothing on how scary it is to not have access to child care! Happy Halloween from your friends at the Network - stay safe, and be sure to make a plan to vote on Tuesday!

"As a society, we have long treated teachers working with young children differently than other teachers. There is, however, no rational justification for this difference. Whether working in a child-care center or school, with toddlers or fourth graders, the people who teach young children every day do complex work, scaffolding children’s academic, social, and emotional development during a foundational period in their lives. They also provide essential child care to ensure w...orking parents can do their jobsa reality highlighted by COVID-19. Yet the way we treat and compensate teachers is entirely different based on the ages of the children they serve. And even among early childhood education (ECE) teachers working with very young children (ages 0-5), those in schools experience substantially better working conditions than teachers working in child-care centers." https://www.brookings.edu//covid-19-highlights-inequities/

Parents: 2020 has been hard! We are continuing our informal polling and would love to hear from you. Have you struggled to find care for your school-age children? Comment below to let us know how are you coping with your need: a) I’m caring my child(ren) b) I created a pod with other families c) they’re managing themselves while I work d) with another caregiver/program

R&Rs: this question is for you! We have heard feedback that many are fielding less referrals recently, with more calls for technical assistance. Does this sound like your experience? If so, comment YES or NO, and feel free to give us more insight into what you are seeing in the field!

Parents: we want to hear from you! We've heard recently that many families who may have used center or home-based child care prior to COVID-19 are now relying more on informal care from family members, friends, or neighbors. Does this sound like your experience? Comment with YES or NO if so, and feel free to share more if you'd like to!