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Budget Conference Committee Announces Child Care Funding DealThe California Budget Conference Committee has finalized a deal on new spending for child care, preschool, and after-school programs for children and families. The Budget Conference Committee proposal includes sufficient funding to update family income guidelines for families receiving affordable child care subsidies. California's new minimum wage had unintentionally caused many families to become ineligible for child care. Fixing the guidelines was a top priority for advocates. "This will help 280,000 kids in California. Parents can take the better job opportunities they've earned ithout fear of losing affordable child care, the very thing they need to work and for their kids to learn," said Mary Ignatius, state organizer for Parent Voices. Child care reimbursement rates will be also updated to help meet the new minimum wages, per last year's budget agreement, which Governor Brown had initially considered "pausing" this year. "We commend the Governor, Pro Tem de Leon, and Speaker Rendon for their leadership, and the restoration of nearly $250 million in child care rate increases and child access," said Camille Maben, Executive Director of First 5 California. "Lawmakers made the right decision to align child care policy with the new minimum wage - they are building a more prosperous future for everyone," said Kim Kruckel of the Child Care Law Center.
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