When California passed welfare reform legislation in 1997, it expressly intended that families who complied with the new law, successfully obtained employment, and left cash aid would receive assistance for the cost of care for their children, paying gradually increasing fees until their income was sufficient to move them out of the system entirely. Families who successfully transition off cash aid should receive subsidies as long as they are eligible. We call on the state to provide permanent funding to ensure that all families retain their benefits as long as they retain their eligibility. To Improve the Supply, Affordability and Quality of Child Care for all Families and Children Including Those Facing Special Barriers. The first five years of life, prior to entry into kindergarten, are of the utmost importance in providing for children's preparation for school.
Children take their first critical steps towards learning to read and write very early in life.
To preserve the state-subsidized child care center system and to address the serious staffing crisis facing these centers it is imperative that the legislature raises the standard reimbursement rate. In addition, a mechanism must be established to ensure that state-subsidized centers receive a cost of living adjustment each year. Support AB 1105 introduced by Assemblyperson Simitan that provides child care assistance for foster children when licensed child care is part of the child's case plan. This bill will maximize federal financial participation by using the option to obtain a Title IV-E Match. Expand Initiatives to Improve the Access of Parents to Quality Child Care.