Governor Newsom Signs Bill to Strengthen California’s Mixed-delivery Early Learning and Care System
SB 1047 Will Simplify Preschool and Child Care Enrollment Processes for Families and Provider
SACRAMENTO, CA – On Friday, September 30th, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 1047 into law. Bill author Senator Monique Limón and sponsors Early Edge California, Kidango, and EveryChild California celebrate the signing of this monumental legislation which will make it easier for families to enroll in and retain access to subsidized child care and preschool; it will also help providers streamline the enrollment process.
SB 1047 will enable low-income families to more easily enroll in subsidized child care and preschool by using their eligibility for other government subsidized programs, such as CalFresh, Medi-Cal, WIC, or Head Start. This will significantly reduce the paperwork and administrative burden on families and providers. It will also guarantee families’ access to subsidized child care and preschool by extending service from 12 to 24 months, relieving families of the worry of losing access to child care programs during crucial developmental years.
“Early childhood education is critical in our children’s development, that is why I am grateful that Governor Newsom has signed SB 1047 to expand the enrollment of child care programs throughout the state. SB 1047 will help children and families easily enroll and stay enrolled in high quality early childhood education programs to provide California children with more continuity of care, setting them up for a successful future,” said SB 1047’s author Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara).
“We are grateful that Governor Newsom and Senator Limón continue to support Early Learning and are thrilled that they see the value SB 1047 brings to providers and struggling families. Removing duplicative processes will make enrollment easier for both parents and providers who are still recovering from the impact of the pandemic. Most importantly, it will help children receive consistent and steady learning and care which is so vital to their development during their formative years,” said Patricia Lozano, Executive Director of Early Edge California.
“We want to thank Governor Newsom and Senator Limón for championing low income families with young children by ensuring they do not lose their child’s state-funded preschool or child care,” said Scott Moore, Kidango’s CEO.
“We thank Governor Newsom and Senator Limón for championing the passage of SB 1047, which strengthens the early care and education system by unifying policies that are key to serving children and families in California,” said Nina Buthee, Executive Director of EveryChild California.
The Governor’s and the California Legislature’s support of this bill demonstrates their continued commitment to children and families by working to strengthen Early Learning and Care in California. Senator Limón, Early Edge California, Kidango, and EveryChild California thank Governor Newsom and will continue to work in partnership with him, his Administration, and the Legislature to ensure young children thrive, families are supported, and teachers have the tools they need to serve our state’s youngest learners.
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Monique Limón represents the 19th Senate District, which includes Santa Barbara, Ventura, Goleta, Carpinteria, Ojai, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Buellton, Solvang, Summerland, Isla Vista, Montecito, and parts of Oxnard. She currently serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institution and the Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector.
Early Edge California is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to improving access to high-quality Early Learning experiences for all California children so they can have a strong foundation for future success.
Kidango is an Early Learning nonprofit committed to setting every child on a path to thrive in Kindergarten and in life. As the largest child care provider in the San Francisco Bay Area, we provide thousands of children, especially those from low-income families, with safe, healthy, nurturing environments and relationships. Our goal is to make sure all children have the social, emotional, and academic skills they need to learn, grow, and realize their potential.
EveryChild California is an association of leaders advancing early learning, and has had the mission to inspire and educate leaders of subsidized early learning and care programs across all of California for more than 75 years. We advocate for programs across the state, by supporting the development of the child’s social, emotional and intellectual well being, all while in a safe and high quality learning environment.
