Each year representatives from CCRC’s Board of Directors travel to Sacramento to meet with key elected officials and their staff during the height of the budget debates. “Members of our Board make this annual trip to underscore the importance of investments in child care to our elected officials.” said CCRC’s Director of Government Relations, Donna Sneeringer.
During this year’s meetings in May, CCRC representatives met with seven elected officials and delivered key budget priority information related to investments in child care. They also presented CCRC’s agency books, which contain district specific information about child care supply and demand in the district the State Senator or Assemblymember represent, the dollar investments in their area and the specific services CCRC offers to assist kids and families.
“During this day of visiting State Senate and Assembly Offices, CCRC Board members dedicate their time — and offer their unique perspectives on the importance of child care and early learning. This speaks volumes about the importance of our services to the community, as well as the Board’s commitment to the work we do with our decision makers.” added Sneeringer.
Some of the topics CCRCC Board Members discussed at this year’s Day at the Capitol include:
- The Governor’s January Proposals to Block Grant Early Education to local School Districts, which creates significant change in the under-resourced system without adding any new dollars. It also jeopardizes the role that community based organizations play in early learning.
- CCRC’s support of the Legislative Women’s Caucus Budget Request for $800 Million investment in child care and early learning in California. This would result in:
- Higher provider reimbursement rates:
- It is critical that investments be made in reimbursement rates for providers. Rates, even with the modest investments over the past two years, are still nearly a decade behind. This limits family access to options, which provide the highest quality care for their young children.
- Family friendly policies:
- Increasing minimum wages are putting pressures on the child care system in both provider wages and family eligibility. CCRC’s in strong support of updating the state median income levels to reflect current wages.
- CCRC supports the implementation of 12 month eligibility for families and simplification of the system for families.
- Increased spaces for children:
- In our service area alone, over 25,000 income eligible children are on our waiting list.
- Access to child care subsidies is critical to working families’ economic stability and provides stable nurturing environments for their children while they work.
The Board was also presented with Senate and Assembly Resolutions honoring CCRC’s 40th Anniversary by Senator Hertzberg and Assemblymember Patty Lopez.
