DATE: July 30, 2002
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Maintaining Child Care Funding for Working Families

SUMMARY:
On November 16, 1999 (12), Supervisor Dianne Jacob brought forward recommendations urging Governor Davis and the Legislature to reinstate the needed CalWORKs Childcare Stage 3 funding to ensure working families are
given the opportunity to succeed.

On November 14, 2001 (28), Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Greg Cox brought forward recommendations again urging Governor Davis and the Legislature to continue needed CalWORKs Childcare Stage 3 funding.

Once again, we find ourselves fighting to protect the successes that many of San Diego's economically disadvantaged families have fought so hard to achieve. Without childcare, many families will once again face the tough decision of going to work today or staying home to take care of their kids because they have no one else to help.

Approval of today's recommendation will authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a letter for the Chairman's signature to Governor Davis and the San Diego delegation stating this County's concern and the need for the State to advance funding for Child Care Stage 2 and Stage 3 services so that critical services do not lapse during the time that the State has not adopted a budget.

RECOMMENDATION
Vice Chairman Greg Cox and Supervisor Dianne Jacob:

1. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a letter for the Chairman's signature to Governor Davis and members of the San Diego delegation stressing the need for the State to advance funding for Child Care Stage 2 and Stage 3 services and to take the necessary actions to assure continued CalWORKS, Stage 2 and Stage 3 funding for families striving to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.

BACKGROUND
When President Clinton signed welfare reform into law in 1996, there were approximately 63,000 welfare cases in San Diego County. Through a variety of supportive programs, training and job placement strategies, the number of welfare cases in San Diego County has steadily declined. As of May 2002, there were 26,199 families still receiving public assistance under CalWORKs.

When the specific policies of welfare reform were announced, the two major barriers identified for successful welfare reform were the availability of affordable childcare and transportation. Childcare subsidies were made available to families working towards self- sufficiency and these subsidies have assisted many families in making the successful transition from public assistance.

As the State has yet to adopt a budget for this fiscal year, a variety of programs are at-risk of losing funding and families are at-risk of losing critical childcare assistance. Approval of today's recommendation will authorize the CAO to communicate the seriousness of this situation to the State and request advance funds so that families do not lose these important resources.

We urge your support for this issue that is so critical to San Diego families and the success of welfare reform.

Respectfully submitted,

GREG COX
Vice Chairman

DIANNE JACOB
Supervisor, Second District