DATE:
December 12, 2023
CATEGORY:
Consent
DEPT.:
City Manager’s Office
TITLE: Support of Child Care for All
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Mountain View Declaring Support of Child Care for All, to be read in title only, further reading waived (Attachment 1 to the Council report).
BACKGROUND
At the November 7, 2023 City Council meeting, Counci l requested that an item be brought forward to adopt a resolution to support affordable child-care.
At the November 9, 2023, Cities Association of Santa Clara County meeting, Build the Future Santa Clara County (Build the Future), pres ented information about their movement to build a brighter future for all Santa Clara County residents by advocating for affordable, quality child - care for all. Build the Future encouraged each member city to join a diverse coalition of partners and supporters by adopting a resolution of support to advocate for more funding and policies to provide child-care for all. Partners and supporters include Santa Clara County Board President Susan Ellenberg, Working Partnerships USA, First 5 Santa Clara County, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, Sobrato Philanthropies, NASA Ames Research Center, and other community-based organizations and businesses.
Background on Addressing and Supporting Child-Care in Mountain View
The City has had a long -standing commitment to providing affordable child-care and actively engaging in addressing child-care needs in Mountain View for the past two decades. This effort began with the City participating in the Mountai n View- Los Altos Child- Care Task Force and eventually resulted in the construction of the City’s Child-Care Center (Center), which opened in 2008. The City strives to contribute to meeting child- care needs in Mountain View through the Center, which is operated by a qualified child-care provider. The City also supports low-income residents through a child-care subsidy available to applicants that meet eligibility requirements.
The City has established a priority list for enrollment in the C enter, with first priority for low - income City of Mountain View residents . The operational goal for the subsidy is to have 30 percent of the Center’s enrollment allotted for low- income families. The City provides
Support of Childcare for All
December 12, 2023
reimbursement to the Center operator for up to $100,000 annually from the Child- Care Commitment Reserve balance for tuition subsidies provided to low -income Mountain View families.
In addition, the City operates a preschool program at the Mountain View Community Center. The City provides eligible low-income Mountain View families limited financial assistance to register children for the preschool through the Recreation Class Financial Assistance Program. Through the preschool program, the City supports early childhood education and working families in Mountain View.
ANALYSIS
As part of its Fiscal Years 2023 -24 and 2024- 25 Work Plan, the City Council adopted a priority project to explore “strategies for enhancing child-care options.” In addition, as part of the City’s Legislative Platform, the City Council incorporated supporting child- care proposals that support the increase in child- care within the community, supporting legislation for child and child -care tax credits and guaranteed income funding programs for families, and advocating for changes in State law and additional funding that promotes increased ability for child -care options in urban settings.
Consistent with these Council Work Plan and Legislative Platform priorities and the City’s long- standing commitment to addressing child-care needs in Mountain View, the City supports efforts to provide child-care to all children and families in Santa Clara County and the State of California.
In accordance, staff recommends adoption of the attached resolution which states support for Build the Future in advocating for comprehensive and collaborative solutions to address the County’s child-care crisis.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with adopting the resolution.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Do not adopt the Resolution Supporting Child Care for All.
2. Make amendments to the Resolution.
3. Provide other direction.
PUBLIC NOTICING
Agenda posting and a copy of report and resolution to Build the Future Santa Clara County.
Support of Childcare for All
December 12, 2023
Prepared by:
Parneet Dhindsa
Human Services Manager
Christina Gilmore
Intergovernmental Relations Manager
Kimberly Thomas
Deputy City Manager
PD-CG-KT/4/CAM
625-12-12-23CR
203665
Attachment: 1. Resolution