Newsletter

2020-21 STATE BUDGET PRIORITIZES YOUNG CHILDREN + FAMILIES ON MULTIPLE FRONTS

Last month, First 5 Monterey County sent out letters thanking Governor Newsom and the legislature for passing a signed budget that supports young children and their families. Some examples from the 20-21 final budget:

• Maintains reimbursement rates for subsidized child care providers, and holds harmless subsidized programs serving families both in person and through distance learning;
• Extends child care vouchers for essential workers, children in especially challenging situations, and children with disabilities for 90 days with federal funding from the CARES Act.  It also gives essential workers priority for available year-long subsidized slots, as long as they meet income requirements;
• Maintains CalWORKs home visiting for families currently receiving services, with a one-time program cut of $30 million to be restored in FY 21-22; and
• Extends the California Earned Income Tax Credit and the Young Child Tax Credit to ITIN filers with children under age six.

In partnership with the Central Coast Early Childhood Advocacy Network, we will continue to advocate for Paid Family Leave and a Nicotine-Based Vaping Tax, which could potentially include funding for First 5s. We are committed to working with legislators so that CA continues to prioritize children and families. For more information, click here.