1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: June 10, 2025
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Marisa Garcia, Park, Recreation and Community Services Director
SUBJECT: First Step Report on a Potential Child and Infant Care Task Force
RECOMMENDATION
1) Note and file; or,
2) Direct staff to provide a second step report that includes cost estimates to complete a comprehensive child and infant care needs assessment to understand the current child and infant care needs in the City of Burbank (City).
BACKGROUND
At the September 10 , 202 4, City Council (Council) meeting, Vice Mayor Tamala Takahashi requested a first -step report exploring the potential formation of a Child and Infant Care Task Force (Task Force). The purpose of the Task Force would be to examine the City’s current child and infant care needs; the availability and affordability of care, identify barriers to accessing care; and consider how childcare could be integrated into the “15-minute Connected Communities” concept, particularly within the Downtown Civic Center area.
DISCUSSION
In April of 1988, Council appointed individuals to a Childcare Committee (Committee) for the purposes of guiding future policy decisions regarding childcare in the City. Despite their dedication, the volunteer -based group of residents and childcare providers lacked the capacity to conduct needs assessments, monitor and propose legislation, and formulate policy recommendation. As a result, the City recognized the need to engage a consultant with the necessary expertise to conduct a needs assessment and develop a masterplan document.
2 In January 1989, the City was awarded a $25,000 grant from the State Department of Education to fund a childcare needs assessment and the creation of a master plan.
Following the completion of the needs assessment in 1990 and adoption of the Child Care Master Plan in 199 1, Council formally established the Child care Committee on October 29, 1991. The purpose of the Committee was to make recommendations aimed at improving childcare in the City.
Over the next decade, the Committee supported staff in implementing strategies outlined in the master plan. They included identifying space available for new childcare facilities; encouraging employers in the City to provide childcare services for employees; and developing public education on quality childcare.
By the early 2000’s, the Committee’s focus evolved toward networking and collaboration as a way to enhance childcare quality in the City. While the Committee was instrumental in promoting affordable and accessible childcare in Burbank, its structure no longer aligned with its policy advisory structure.
In 2013, the Committee expressed interest in continuing as a resource -sharing network rather than a formal advisory body. To facilitate more open discussions, on June 11, 2013, they voted to remove Brown Act requirements, which would mean no longer being Council appointed.
In 2014, staff recommended continuing the Committee under a revised structure in which the City Manager or designee would directly assign City staff, City groups (i.e., Youth Board or Parks and Recreation Board), and include representatives from Burbank Unified School District and other childcare providers to the Child Care Committee. The proposed non-Brown Act model was intended to rejuvenate interest in the Committee and expand its roles as a resource sharing network , fostering more fluid discussions amongst members. At the time, Council did not support the new proposed structure.
Consequently, on June 10, 2014 , Council disbanded the Child Care Commit tee concluding that its original goals had been fulfilled.
Should Council determine to renew efforts around child and infant care, staff recommends that Council consider conducting a new, comprehensive needs assessment prior to the consideration of creating a task force. A comprehensive needs assessment will provide necessary and relevant data related to potential community needs, thereby assisting Council in determining next steps . Should this direction be provided, staff will return to Council with a second step report that includes cost estimates for a consultant to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment.
It's worth noting that in 2023, the Burbank YMCA enlisted the Child Care Resources Center (CCRC), a non-profit organization, to conduct a childcare needs assessment. In
3 summary, the CCRC assessment highlights a shortage of licensed childcare, affordability challenges, and a significant lack of infant care options. Families identified safety, cleanliness, and access as top priorities, while also pointing to long waitlists, limited flexible c are options, and inadequate support for children with special needs. Despite these challenges, there may be an opportunity to expand access through targeted investments, and public-private collaboration.
The CCRC assessment faced several limitations that may affect the depth and precision of its findings. It relied on outdated and static data sources, lacked real -time vacancy information, and had limited insight into unlicensed and informal care, which is widely used in Burbank but poorly tracked. Survey challenges included potential sampling bias, and unverifiable self-reported income data. The analysis did not include population growth forecasts, economic modeling, or outcome data, limiting its ability to project future needs or evaluate program quality. Additionally, equity considerations , such as cultural, linguistic, and special needs inclusion were underexplored, a nd employer perspectives were not comprehensively captured.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This report has no potential for resulting in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change to the environment and falls outside the definition of a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is therefore not subject to CEQA review pursuant to § 15378 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (CEQA Guidelines).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact related to this report.
CONCLUSION
The historical efforts of the Child Care Committee played a significant role in advancing childcare policy and awareness in the City. While the Committee was ultimately disbanded after achieving its goals, the topic of child and infant care remains an important consideration for the community. Should the Council wish to re -engage in this area, the most prudent next step would be to conduct a compr ehensive needs assessment. This would provide a clear understanding of the current child and infant care needs in the City and help determine whether there is a need for renewed efforts or new initiatives moving forward.
ATTACHMENT
None.