Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Dave Pine, District 1
Supervisor Carole Groom, District 2
Subject: San Mateo County 2022 Childcare Grant Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution:
A) Allocating $4,100,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for the 2022 Childcare Grant Program to provide grants to San Mateo County Childcare Centers and Family Childcare Homes that have been directly and adversely impacted by COVID-19 public health emergency; and
B) Authorizing the County Executive, or designee, to contract with the SMCU Community Fund for the distribution of funds for the 2022 Childcare Grant Program in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for a term ending November 30, 2022.
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BACKGROUND:
The childcare industry has been among the hardest hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that employment in the childcare sector in California declined by more than 20% from February 2020 to October 2021. (See https://cscce.berkeley.edu/publications/brief/child-care-sector-jobs-bls-analysis/.) In addition, childcare providers have faced both increased operating costs due to pandemic health and safety requirements and decreased revenues due to reduced class sizes to meet health requirements. Furthermore, fewer parents sought out-of-home care while a COVID-19 vaccine was not yet available for the youngest children. These negative impacts exacerbated pre-pandemic staffing challenges and the lack of sufficient of childcare providers in many communities, especially lower-income neighborhoods.
On July 21, 2020, to assist childcare providers during the pandemic, the Board approved a $2,000,000 allocation of CARES Act funds for a Childcare Relief Grant Program. The Program provided grants to local childcare centers and family daycare centers equal to one month of operating expenses, with a not to exceed grant limit of $55...
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