1 HUMAN SERVICES
STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday June 3, 2026
3:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
City Hall – Conference Room 1
130 Cremona Drive, Suite B
Goleta, California
Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín
Councilmember Stuart Kasdin
Robert Nisbet, City Manager
Jaime A. Valdez, Assistant City Manager
JoAnne Plummer, Director of Neighborhood Services
Shannon Kirn, Assistant to the City Manager
Melissa Cure, Management Assistant
Public Participation
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AGENDA
I. Public Comment
II. FY 2024-25 Childcare Grant Recap and FY 2025-26 Funding Feedback 0468 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 719 359 4580 or +1 386 347 5053 or +1 507 473 4847 or +1 564 217 2000 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 646 931 3860 or +1 689 278 1000 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 305 224 1968 or +1 309 205 3325 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 360 209 5623
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: June 3, 2026
TO: Human Services Standing Committee
FROM: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
Shannon Kirn, Assistant to the City Manager
SUBJECT: Item II. FY 2024-25 Childcare Grant Recap and FY 2025-26 Funding Feedback
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive a recap of Fiscal Year 2024-25 childcare grants and provide feedback on Fiscal Year 2025-26 funding.
BACKGROUND:
Since Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25, the City has programmed $250,000 annually for childcare initiatives.
On October 22, 2024, the Human Services Committee (Committee) reviewed FY 2024- 25 childcare funding options and considered proposals from four partner organizations:
Santa Barbara Foundation (SBF), United Way of Santa Barbara County (United Way), Children’s Resource & Referral (CRR), and Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV). The Committee reviewed proposals aimed at expanding infant and toddler care, strengthening provider capacity, and supporting the local childcare workforce, including provider grants, scholarships, workforce development programs, licensing support for childcare centers and home-based family childcare providers, and business or quality improvement coaching.
On December 3, 2024, the City Council approved the Committee’s funding recommendations, allocating the full FY 2024-25 appropriation of $250,000 as follows:
• SBF: Fund three Childcare Provider Grants and supplement a fourth (Total:
$50,000)
• United Way: Fund one Employer-Sponsored Childcare Start-Up Grant and one or two Family & Caregiver Scholarships (Total: $50,000)
• CRR & WEV Collaborative Proposal: Fund a cohort of 12 new Family Childcare providers (Total: $150,000)
Meeting Date: June 3, 2026
All grant agreements were executed with an expiration of June 30, 2026.
DISCUSSION:
Recap of FY 2024-25 Grant Programs
Two of three grant agreements, with United Way and SBF, have concluded and submitted the end-of-program reports. CRR has requested a contract extension, as implementation is still underway. Below is a summary of each program, and the end-of-program reports can be found in Attachment 1.
United Way – Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative
The program supported scholarships for Goleta families and a facility expansion at Hope for Kids. Scholarships improved family stability and workforce participation for two households, while the facility grant added 25 new infant/toddler spaces in local capacity.
The project also supported professional development for early educators and completed a 1,500 square-foot expansion with three new classrooms. The full $50,000 grant was expended, as documented in United Way’s end-of-program report.
SBF – Goleta Child Care Provider Grants
Funding supported three full provider grants and partially supported a fourth, benefiting over 160 children, ~120 families, and more than 45 educators. Projects strengthened early childcare education (ECE) workforce pathways, improved teacher retention, expanded family engagement, and enhanced social/emotional and mental health support in classrooms. All awarded funds were deployed as intended, and providers completed implementation successfully despite initial contracting delays. The full $50,000 grant was expended, as documented in SBF’s end-of-program report
CRR – Steps to Licensing
CRR continues to make progress in expanding licensed family childcare providers, with two new providers licensed as of March 2026, adding 14 childcare spaces. Several additional providers remain in the licensing pipeline, including those with pending applications, scheduled final reviews, and ongoing coursework, and recent outreach has generated six new prospective leads. Public awareness remains a challenge, as outreach through media, schools, libraries, and community events has not yet yielded sufficient visibility. Staff are working closely with CRR to support implementation and ensure program success, and are preparing a contract extension through December 31, 2026, to allow completion of provider licensing and continued outreach necessary to meet program goals.
Overall, the City’s FY 2024–25 childcare investments have produced strong outcomes in family stability, childcare workforce development, and expansion of infant and toddler capacity.
Meeting Date: June 3, 2026
FY 2025-26 Funding
At a special meeting on July 21, 2025, City Council directed the City Manager to convene the Committee to reprogram $100,000 of the $250,000 from childcare initiatives to local nonprofit organizations providing frontline assistance to individuals and families affected by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities. Council identified priority service areas—including legal defense, mental health support, and direct services or financial assistance—and authorized the Committee to select funding recipients without the need for additional Council approval. Following this reallocation, $150,000 remains available for childcare initiatives.
Staff Recommendation
Of the $150,000, staff recommends soft encumbering the remaining one-time funds and carrying over the entire $150,000 into FY 2026-27 for the following:
o Set aside $60,000 of this balance to support a portion of the costs of the childcare fee study presented as part of the Planning and Environmental Review Department’s FY 2026/27 Annual Work Program on March 3, 2026. Actual costs will be finalized once known.
o Deploy the balance of $90,000 to continue expanding previously funded programs that have demonstrated successful outcomes. For example, this approach could provide one-time additional allocations, such as $45,000 to United Way and $45,000 to SBF, to support the continuation of their established programs.
Alternatives
o Set aside the remaining $150,000 funds in fund balance for one-time childcare initiatives and return to the Committee at the beginning of next fiscal year with updated recommendations. The Committee would then consider a total of $400,000, which includes the FY 2026-27 recommended budget amount of $250,000.
o Allow the remaining $150,000 to return to the General Fund, with no further action this fiscal year.
Staff seek Committee feedback on the preferred approach to ensure the remaining funds are allocated effectively and in alignment with City priorities.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. End-of-Program Reports
ATTACHMENT 1
End-of-Program Reports
UNITED WAY
OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
320 East Gutierrez Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
www.unitedwaysb.org
Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative
Grant Impact Report
Prepared for the City of Goleta
Initiative Overview
The Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative is a countywide, cross-sector effort to expand access to affordable, high-quality childcare for families across Santa Barbara County.
Shaped by local needs assessments and community voices, the initiative addresses critical gaps in childcare capacity and affordability that limit family stability and workforce participation.
Through partnerships among local government, philanthropies, employers, and community organizations, the initiative delivers: -scholarships that reduce financial barriers for families, -facility grants that expand capacity, -technical assistance and workforce development for childcare providers.
Together, these investments strengthen early care and education as essential community infrastructure.
City of Goleta Investment at a Glance
Area Investment Key Outcome
Childcare Scholarships $12,500 2 families supported; consistent full-time care secured Facility Grants $37,500 25 new infant/toddler spaces; 30% capacity increase Total $50,000
Scholarships: Stabilizing Families
City of Goleta Investment: $12,500
Childcare costs are one of the most significant financial pressures facing working families.
The City’s scholarship investment directly relieved that burden — with results that extended far beyond the classroom.
Impact Highlights:
• Two Goleta families received targeted financial support, improving household financial stability.
• Parents maintained consistent employment and pursued educational goals. • Children gained access to reliable, high-quality early learning. • Families reported reduced stress and greater peace of mind.
In their own words:
“Before receiving the scholarship, my husband and I often had to miss work because we couldn’t afford full-time care for our son. Now, we can both work every day, I can focus on my teaching and credential, and our son is thriving—more social, gentle, and growing in every way. The financial support gave our family stability and peace of mind. We are so grateful.”
Facility Grant: Expanding Capacity at Hope for Kids
City of Goleta Investment: $37,500
The investment into a facility grant funded a meaningful expansion of one of the community’s early learning centers, creating lasting infrastructure change for the provider and for families.
Impact highlight:
• Expanded capacity by adding 25 infant and toddler childcare spaces, increasing access for young children in Goleta by 30%.
• Completed a 1,500 sq. ft. facility expansion with three dedicated classrooms designed for infants and toddlers, incorporating safety, accessibility, and developmentally appropriate design.
• Supported professional development for five early childhood educators, strengthening staff qualifications and instructional quality. • Strengthened the overall quality and sustainability of early childhood programs for Goleta residents.
Lessons Learned
The implementation of the Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative has provided important insights into how targeted investments in scholarships and facility improvements can strengthen families, children, and the early care and education system. These lessons highlight both successes and areas for refinement as we continue to expand access and ensure long-term sustainability.
Scholarships
What worked: -
• Targeted eligibility (including middle-income families) helped reach households who fall through gaps in traditional assistance programs • Modest financial relief had outsized impact on family stability, workforce participation, and children’s wellbeing
• Consistent data collection allowed for stronger program evaluation and resource allocation
What’s Next: The Demand for scholarships exceeds current supply — expanding funding would extend the program’s reach to more eligible families in Goleta.
Facility Grants
What worked:
• Early, strategic planning for licensing and compliance reduced delays and cost overruns
• Expansion was a needed community element and has been utilized already.
What’s Next: Continue working with childcare providers to encourage and make feasible facility expansions, especially for infants and toddlers.
Looking Ahead
The City of Goleta’s $50,000 investment has produced measurable, meaningful results — for individual families, for childcare providers, and for the broader community. The momentum built through this initiative creates a strong foundation for continued growth.
The City of Goleta’s investment has been transformative for local families and the early care system. Continued partnership and investment will allow this work to expand and deepen its impact, ensuring that more Goleta children have the opportunity to thrive and that families have the stability to pursue their goals. By building on this momentum, we can continue to strengthen early childhood education as a cornerstone of a vibrant, resilient community.
Thank You
We are deeply grateful to the City of Goleta for its partnership and investment in the Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative. Your support has directly strengthened local families, expanded high-quality early care, and enhanced workforce stability in our community. We look forward to continuing this work together and building on these successes.
End of Program Report - Santa Barbara Foundation
Submitted March 2026
City of Goleta End of Program Report
2025 -2026
Agency Name: Santa Barbara Foundation
Contract Amount: $50,000
Activity or Program Name: Goleta Child Care Provider Grants Activity Location: City of Goleta, California
Agency Contact Name: Beatriz H. García
Agency Contact Number: 805-882-9382
1. Please describe the activity or program accomplishments.
The Santa Barbara Foundation (SBF) successfully implemented the Goleta Child Care Provider Grant Program to increase organizational capacity among nonprofit child care providers serving children ages 0–5 in the City of Goleta.
In alignment with the Scope of Work, funds were used to fully support three provider projects and supplement a fourth, with awards of up to $15,000 each. Grants focused on:
• Workforce pathway and skill development
• Supportive organizational business models
• Content-specific leadership development
• Family engagement
Funded Providers & Accomplishments
1. LEAP: Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner. ($15,000)
• Implemented a Teacher Scholarship Program supporting Early Childhood Education (ECE) credential attainment.
• Provided tuition support and academic mentoring to staff pursuing Child Development credentials.
• Strengthened recruitment of community-rooted educators. • Served 139 children through improved staffing stability. • Early outcomes include increased educator retention, internal promotion pathways, and strengthened classroom continuity.
2. CommUnify – Goleta Head Start ($15,000)
• Developed a stipend-based recruitment and retention strategy to strengthen the toddler workforce pipeline in Goleta.
• Embedded stipends in hiring outreach to address workforce shortages. • Adjusted payout structure to better support recruitment and retention. • Continued efforts to stabilize staffing in the Goleta Head Start toddler classroom.
3. UC Santa Barbara Children’s Centers ($14,840)
• Contracted with Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants (IECMHC).
End of Program Report - Santa Barbara Foundation
Submitted March 2026
• Consultants conducted classroom observations and family consultations to build comprehensive support plans for children and families.
• Provided coaching to teachers to strengthen social-emotional supports and TK/Kindergarten readiness.
• Directly engaged families, administrative staff, and classroom teachers. • Reported improved workforce morale and increased teacher capacity to address social-emotional needs while parents were provided education and training on family social-emocional practices for families.
4. San Marcos Parent-Child Workshop ($5,160 supplemental award) • Expanded music enrichment and launched STEAM-focused family engagement activities.
• Served 29 children and their families.
• Increased family participation through STEAM events and enrichment programming. • Maintained strong workforce consistency supported by strengthened parent leadership within their co-op model.
Goleta Child Care Grant Program Impact
Across the four funded providers, the program:
• Strengthened professional development pathways for early childhood educators • Improved teacher retention and internal leadership pipelines • Expanded family engagement opportunities
• Increased access to specialized supports (e.g., mental health consultation) • Directly benefited over 160+ children in Goleta, with indirect benefits extending to families and educators
The grants contributed to improved classroom stability, culturally responsive teaching environments, and increased workforce resiliency — all critical in a region facing significant child care shortages.
2. Comment on areas of significant deviation from the activity/program goals and objectives, if any.
While there were no deviations from the program’s intended goals or funding priorities, the initial launch timeline required several months of coordination between the City and the Foundation to finalize contracting, receive funds, and complete internal grant setup processes.
As a result, the grant solicitation and award period began later than originally anticipated, which slightly compressed the implementation window for funded providers.
End of Program Report - Santa Barbara Foundation
Submitted March 2026
Despite this adjusted timeline, all awarded funds were deployed, and providers are successfully implementing their projects. The Foundation has identified opportunities to streamline internal launch processes in future cycles to ensure a more expedited start and maximize implementation time for grantees.
Additionally, some individual grantees encountered implementation adjustments:
• CommUnify experienced recruitment challenges and modified its stipend disbursement structure to better serve as a recruitment and retention incentive. • UCSB Children’s Centers experienced a delayed project start due to university contracting processes but fully implemented the program once finalized.
These adjustments strengthened program delivery and responsiveness rather than altering core objectives.
3. Comment on any areas of significant deviation from the budget proposal submitted with the activity/project application, if any.
No significant deviations occurred at the program level. Funds were distributed consistent with the approved Scope of Work and within the $50,000 contract limit. Any minor reallocations within individual provider budgets were aligned with grant guidelines and remained within approved project categories.
An itemized expenditure report is attached, detailing grant allocations.
4. Approximately how many persons in Goleta were served? • Children served directly: 160+
• Families served: Estimated ~120 households
• Early care professionals supported: 45+ educators (direct scholarship, stipend, coaching, or professional development beneficiaries)
Indirect benefits extended to additional children and families through improved classroom stability, workforce capacity, and enhanced quality of care.
5. Please attach an itemized budget report detailing how the program or activity funds were expended.
Attached:
• Consolidated Itemized Budget Summary
Total Contract Amount: $50,000
Total Expended: $50,000
Funds supported:
• Teacher scholarships and tuition assistance
End of Program Report - Santa Barbara Foundation
Submitted March 2026
• Workforce stipends and retention bonuses
• Mental health consultation services
• Music and STEAM enrichment programming
• Professional development and leadership support
Closing Summary
The City of Goleta Child Care Grant Program has proven to be a strategic and high-impact investment in the city’s early childhood ecosystem. In a region facing severe licensed child care shortages, this initiative strengthened the workforce pipeline, stabilized classrooms, and deepened family engagement.
The program reflects the City’s commitment to Measure B investments in community wellbeing and economic stability. By supporting providers directly, the City advanced long-term workforce development, improved early learning quality, and enhanced outcomes for Goleta’s youngest residents.
We are grateful for the City of Goleta’s leadership and commitment to addressing the ongoing child care crisis. Thank you for your support and collaboration in making this investment possible. We look forward to continuing our partnership to advance sustainable, long-term solutions that strengthen Goleta’s child care system and support working families.