July 29, 2025 | LAist
In this LAist article, Early Edge’s Executive Director Patricia Lozano emphasizes the importance of ongoing investment in California’s mixed-delivery Early Learning and Care system to support all children and their families, and points to New Mexico as potential model for California in creating a consistent source of funding for state child care programs.
Patricia Lozano, the executive director of advocacy organization Early Edge California, said TK’s ripple effect on early education programs shows that the state needs to do more to provide for its youngest children.
“ TK was one of the key things we’ve been advocating since it was passed,” she said. “But that’s just one piece. I think the whole system itself is problematic. It’s underfunded.”
Lozano pointed to New Mexico as a potential model for California. The state has boosted teacher pay and expanded eligibility for free care by directing gas and oil revenue to state childcare programs. She said this type of consistent source of money is especially important amid threats to federal funding and state budget cuts.
“The bottom line is we need to have that source of funding protected,” she said.