CEO Budget Statement

Thank you, Governor Newsom, Senator Pro Tem Atkins, and Assembly Speaker Emeritus Rendon for passing an early care and education budget that prioritizes the needs of our children—our community’s most vulnerable residents—and their families. A huge thank you to the Women’s Legislative Caucus, who have been unwavering in their advocacy around the reimbursement rate and parent fee schedule!

Exciting Budget News

On July 11, the Governor signed the FY 2023-24 State Budget. The budget includes big wins for early care and education. Here are some of the key child care provisions:

·Family Fee Reform: families who earn below 75% of the State Median Income (SMI) will not pay a family fee; families who do earn above 75% of the SMI will pay no more than 1% of their income in family fees.

·Forgiveness of Family Fee Debt: any family fee debt that was accumulated but uncollected prior to October 1, 2023 will be eliminated.

·Reimbursement Rates: one-time funding of $2.8 billion (over two years) was set aside to temporarily increase the reimbursement rate until the Administration and Legislature can approve a new methodology. (Note: these dollars will fund collective bargaining between Child Care Providers United (CCPU) and the Administration. Details of that agreement are pending union membership approval. We will share details once ratified.)

·Licensed-exempt Rate Sheet Requirements: Licensed-exempt providers (i.e., Family, Friend, and Neighbor) are no longer required to submit rate sheets.

It is hard to explain how relieved and appreciative I am about the family fee reform news.

As parents, our focus and goal is to always raise our child(ren) with love, protection, and comfort. When a parent has to worry about finances and if love will be enough to make up for the protection and comfort they may lose, it’s soul crushing.

The new parent fee structure has removed this fear. I can continue to give my child everything he deserves, not just everything I can afford, and I am deeply grateful for this.

I breathe easier now knowing my child will be able to continue to be cared for safely, while I can continue to work and support us for a better future. - Subsidy Parent

Good News: Now Enrolling!

The income limits for child care subsidies has recently been increased. This also increases the number of families who may receive assistance in paying for child care.

To see if your family is eligible, visit: https://wp.childaction.org/check-for-eligibility/

To complete a child care eligibility application, visit our website by clicking here.

Marketing Your Child Care Program

If you are looking to promote your child care program, now is the perfect time to create or reassess your marketing plan! Check out our resource on “Marketing Your Child Care Business” to find tips on:

·Curb Appeal

·First Impressions

·Creating a Website

· And more!

This resource is also available in Arabic, Farsi Russian, Spanish

Resources

Thanks to Bonney Plumbing, Electrical, Heating, and Air Conditioning admission to Fairytale Town is FREE when the temperature hits 95°.

Bring your kiddos and bask under the rainbow misters, explore the air-conditioned Story Center, and frolic in the lush-shaded greenery.

Visit https://www.fairytaletown.org/ to learn more!

California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) partners with public and private entities to make life jackets available to the public on a loan basis.

DBW provides life jackets for loaner boards and loan stations so that an individual or family can borrow or check out a life jacket for a day or a weekend.

Some stations have life jacket use requirements, so please contact participating locations for specifics.

For a listing of locations by county, visit http://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=29179

School Starts Soon!

Going back to school, or entering school for the first time, is undoubtedly a big transition for children and parents. Here are some tips to help you and your child prepare for a successful transition this year:

·Consider adding a few more minutes of sleep each night to ensure they are well rested.

·Help your child become familiar with the school – talk with them, drive by it as you go through your neighborhood, and attend orientation.

·Create a daily goodbye ritual like a song or saying or give them something to hold onto that makes them think of you.

·Start a reading challenge in these last few days before school.

Out 'n About in Our Community!

Did you know that our staff attends dozens of community events each year? We share information about accessing child care referrals and child care subsidies. We also provide and resources about opening licensed child care facilities.

For more information, or to request our presence at a presentation or health fair, email outreach@childaction.org.

Book Review!

Giant-Sized Butterflies on My First Day of School

By Justin Roberts and Paola Escobar

Butterflies flitter about and are pretty and fun...until they appear in your belly! When this girl feels nervous about going to school, her mom encourages her that butterflies also mean something exciting is happening.

We're Hiring a

Child Care Coordinator

The Child Care Coordinator is primarily responsible for providing information, training and technical assistance to parents, child care providers and communities to ensure the health and safety of children in care, help improve child care capacity, and the quality of child care services in Sacramento County.

Click here to learn more.

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Child Action, Inc. |childaction.org