Signed Bills

SB 1047 expands access and eligibility for child care programs. SB 1047 aims to increase efficiencies in the direct contracting Early Learning and care system by removing barriers to serve more children in quality programs and strengthen the family child care system to give our youngest learners a strong start. Considering COVID-19’s devastating impact on families and early childhood providers, we must build a stronger, more equitable Early Learning and care system for California’s children, families and providers.

Specifically, SB 1047 would accomplish the following:

• Enable low-income families to more easily enroll in subsidized child care and preschool. This bill expands categorical eligibility for subsidized child care for families who are already enrolled in CalFresh, Medi-Cal, WIC or Head Start. This will significantly reduce the paperwork and administrative burden on families and providers.
• Make it easier for families to maintain access to subsidized child care and preschool. The bill also extends eligibility for subsidized child care from 12 to 24 months to improve continuity of care for families and children.

SB 1047 will expand access to high-quality Early Learning and care programs by leveraging existing state and provider resources. This is particularly true for families receiving aid, where the unmet need is most acute.