CHILD CARE ADVOCATE NEWSLETTER
Build Up along with the COVID-19 Child Care Response Team successfully advocated for the distribution of $2M in CARES Act relief funds for child care providers, resulting in 102 grants of up to $55K to cover one month of operating expenses. We are in the process of raising additional funds from local businesses, foundations and municipalities to fulfill the unmet need in our county.

For more information or to donate:
IN THE NEWS
Picking Up the Pieces: Building a Better Child Care System Post COVID-19
Long before COVID-19, the U.S. child care system was in trouble. When COVID-19 was layered onto the already fragile child care system, it shattered. Today, many providers are in danger of closing their doors because their attendance and enrollment (and therefore their income) plunged and/or their expenses skyrocketed due to pandemic-related costs.

Child Care Aware of America's Fall Report Picking Up the Pieces includes 2019 data and stories collected as recently as July 2020. With this additional information, our community is able to compare the child care system pre- and mid-pandemic.

Review their publication at childcareaware.org/picking-up-the-pieces
National Head Start Association

The True Cost of Re-Opening Head Start Programs
Conservative estimates place the cost of reopening and meeting increased health and safety needs through the calendar year above the usual operating costs at:

$1,700,000,000


The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption in the lives of Head Start children and families. 
In response, Head Start programs have not missed a beat as many transitioned to remote services to meet the needs of at-risk children and families in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.
Building Our Care Infrastructure
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the financial strain felt by parents and caregivers, especially Black and immigrant women who disproportionately provide care for others’ families as well as their own.

This report found that expanding access to quality childcare and community- and home-based care will create jobs quickly, spur job growth in other sectors, and ensure financial stability for professional and informal caregivers.

Like transportation, energy and public health, a robust care “infrastructure” with comprehensive policies and workforces will allow all people to provide for their families and contribute to the economy.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Parent Town Hall: Child Care During COVID-19
Are you worried about returning to child care during the COVID-19 pandemic? Join us to hear from panelists who will share the latest health-related information in San Mateo County and the policies and practices that child care providers need to have in place to offer services for your family during COVID-19 in a Facebook Town Hall event for parents of young children.

The event will take place on Monday, November 9 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm, and is geared for parents of young children who have many questions about the pandemic and child care.

Presented by First 5 SMC, SMCOE, County Health, 4Cs of SMC, Parent Voices and other community partners.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Investing in the
Future of Child Care
Access to affordable child care is crucial to parents’ ability to participate in the workforce. However, in many places—especially lower-income communities and communities of color—affordable child care isn’t available to meet this need. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the business model for child care operators was already under financial strain, which makes the need for swift, bold actions to support these essential businesses even more urgent.

Through the Investing in the Future of Child Care Initiative the SF Fed and the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) are taking a deep dive into the challenges facing the child care market as well as the investments and partnerships needed to support child care providers.

Below you will find Session 1: Supporting the Workforce with Early Care & Education Services
To View the Complete Webinar Series
As always, we hope you and your loved ones are safe and well.

Thank you for your continued support,

The Build Up Team