Page 2 - Strengthening California’s Emergency Child Care Bridge Program
P. 2
Strengthening California’s Emergency Child Care Bridge
Contents
Executive Summary 3 Background: California’s Emergency Child Care Bridge Program 5
Purpose of the Bridge Program 5 Bridge Program Description 6 Purpose of the Study 7
Study Methods 8
Research Questions8 Methods 9 Caregiver Demographics 9 Child Care Provider Demographics 10
Findings: Child, Family and Community Well-Being 10
Bridge Program Increased the Likelihood that Some Caregivers Will Accept a Child 10 Bridge Decreased Economic and Emotional Stress of Caregivers11 Caregivers felt their children were in quality child care 12 Caregivers are interested in Community Resources and More Information on the Child and the Bridge Program Process 14
Findings: Program Implementation 14
Bridge Program Varied Little across Counties 14 Recomendation: Keep Changes Made During the Pandemic 15
Relationships and Collaboration Were Key Elements Success 15
Findings: Facilitating Access to Bridge Child Care by Increasing Awareness of the Program and Expanding Eligibility Criteria and Funding 16 Recomendation: Increase Access Through Expanding the reach and Flexibility of the Vouchers 17
Findings: Data is needed for Programmatic Success 18
Conclusions 18
Appendix A: Study Methods 19 Data Collection Methods: Administrative and Program Staff 19 Data Collection Methods: Caregivers and Child Care Providers 19
Appendix B: Table of Bridge Staff Interviews 21 Appendix C: Number of Caregiver Online Surveys Received by County 22 Appendix D: Number of Child Care Provider Online Surveys Received by County23
2 |2022
