We still have more to do: 52,231 children remain on CCRC’s waiting list, and only 1 in every 9 children are served statewide.
We still have more to do: 52,231 children remain on CCRC’s waiting list, and only 1 in every 9 children are served statewide.
We still have more to do: 52,231 children remain on CCRC’s waiting list, and only 1 in every 9 children are served statewide.
We still have more to do: 52,231 children remain on CCRC’s waiting list, and only 1 in every 9 children are served statewide.
We still have more to do: 52,231 children remain on CCRC’s waiting list, and only 1 in every 9 children are served statewide.
We still have more to do: 52,231 children remain on CCRC’s waiting list, and only 1 in every 9 children are served statewide.
We still have more to do: 52,231 children remain on CCRC’s waiting list, and only 1 in every 9 children are served statewide.
We still have more to do: 52,231 children remain on CCRC’s waiting list, and only 1 in every 9 children are served statewide.
We still have more to do: 52,231 children remain on CCRC’s waiting list, and only 1 in every 9 children are served statewide.
We still have more to do: 52,231 children remain on CCRC’s waiting list, and only 1 in every 9 children are served statewide.
We still have more to do: 52,231 children remain on CCRC’s waiting list, and only 1 in every 9 children are served statewide.
In California, child care providers are reimbursed using an outdated, multifaceted system that does not pay child care providers a living wage (the median wage for a child care provider is $13.43 per hour1). The RMR’s 2019-2020 state fiscal year ceiling rate is based on the 75th percentile of the survey (which was conducted in 2016). Based on the 75th percentile, families in California should have access to 75 out of 100 providers in their county, however, Californian families currently have access to fewer than 75 because the state continues to use an outdated survey from five years ago.
The current rate ceiling at the 75th percentile does not adequately provide access to children who need child care. State policymakers should reinstate the ceiling at the 85th percentile. A licensed center providing infant care in Los Angeles County would see a monthly rate ceiling increase of 14%, or $269 per month if the rate ceiling increases to the 85th percentile (Graph 1). In CCRC's Los Angeles and San Bernardino County service areas, 63% of providers are paid at the RMR and 35% are paid below the RMR. In order to meet the intent of state law and ensure children have access to child care, 85% of providers should be paid at the RMR.
When reimbursement rates fall below the true cost of care, providers cannot afford to offer subsidized child care and must charge higher prices. This diminishes buying power for families, resulting in less child care options for those most in need.
Equitable access to child care is dependent on a reimbursement rate system that will offer child care providers a rate they deserve. Child care providers engage in this work because they want to support the healthy development of children in their care. Yet, when the system begins to take advantage of their kindness, especially from a group that is often disadvantaged, their willingness to accept vouchers begins to diminish; leaving more children without access to affordable care.
The Governor's Master Plan on Early Learning and Care, released in November 2020, includes a goal to unify funding to advance equity and opportunity, including tying provider reimbursement rates to quality. The Master Plan recommends the state adopt a tiered reimbursement rate build upon a base rate plus adjustments for region, quality, and child characteristics. Similarly, Senate Bill 246 (Leyva) seeks to integrate the SRR and RMR into a single, regionalized system and will ensure adjustments are made to meet Title V standards, regardless of provider type. In addition, SB246 (Leyva) will require adjustments for child characteristics to be included in the modernized base rate and create a crisis factor for providers aected by state of emergency declarations.
SB246 (Leyva) would create a single, regionalized rate system, that will:
CCRC has distributed supplies to children, families and providers in our service area.
Books & School Supplies
22,077
Face Coverings
511,725
Bags of Food
17,148
Toiletries
24,658
"
I’m very happy because the help that we are receiving during these times are much needed because of the pandemic and we hope that the donors continue to give.
- Parent
"
"
I just want to say thank you to all of the donors and how important it is for us to have these supplies. Our kids really need it and it’s very much appreciated. Thank you.
- Provider
"
California can fund our child care system, but instead relies on fees paid by families of color—mostly mothers—who are low-paid and can least afford it. The state can use federal funding to waive family fees through September 2024 to keep money in families’ pockets.
We’ve tried this and it works. California temporarily waived family fees for all families last year. We are currently waiving fees only for families who are sheltering in place, so essential workers are struggling to pay their family fees for care, especially since schools remain closed and their need for child care has increased.
.png)
AB 92 (Reyes) is a pandemic relief bill that provides immediate relief to families and a long-term solution. AB 92 would temporarily waives family fees for as long as federal law allows, which is currently through FFY2024. The bill also establishes a workgroup to create a more equitable sliding scale for family fees. Families know best how to budget their money, and eliminating fees will help them meet their basic needs and build wealth.
It would cost the state $325 million to waive fees for all families through September 2024. Here’s what waived family fees look like for families.
Michael Olenick, Ph.D.
President & CEO
Donna Sneeringer
Chief Strategy Officer
James Moses
San Bernardino, Regional Director
Patrick MacFarlane
Government Relations Manager
