title
Adopt and present a resolution recognizing May 10, 2024 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day in Solano County (Supervisor Hannigan)
body
Published Notice Required? Yes___ No_X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes____ No _X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
First 5 Solano recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing May 10, 2024 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day in Solano County.
SUMMARY
Each year since 2019, the Solano County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed Child Care Appreciation Day as a time to recognize the importance of child care providers and the vital role they play in supporting working parents by providing high quality care and early education. This year, Child Care Appreciation Day will be celebrated on May 10th.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
First 5 Solano is funded by Proposition 10 tobacco tax funds. There is no financial impact to adopting this resolution.
DISCUSSION:
Children develop much of their capacity for learning during their earliest years, as this is the time when the brain undergoes its most dramatic growth. Research shows that a child's early years are the foundation for their future development, providing a strong base for lifelong learning, as well as cognitive and social development.
There are currently over 550 licensed child care providers and over 1,000 license-exempt child care providers in Solano County. This essential service not only supports the early development of our youngest residents, it also supports the local economy by allowing working parents to engage in the workforce while their children are safe and supported. Solano County and many counties across the state are working to increase the child care capacity to support the needs of working families.
Solano Family & Children’s Services (SFCS) has been Solano’s Child Care Resource and Referral Agency for over 46 years, creating connections for families and child care providers to support the healthy development of children for a thriving community. SFCS administers the voucher-based state and local child care subsidy services for low-income families, assists families in accessing appropriate care, as well as supports child care providers through training and technical assistance. SFCS is working with community partners, including the Solano County Workforce Development Board of Solano County and the Napa Solano Small Business Development Center to recruit, educate and retain family child care and center-based providers to build child care availability across the county.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to approve this resolution. This is not recommended as it is an opportunity to recognize child care providers and the vital role they play in child health and development, as well as our economy.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
In addition to First 5 Solano and Solano Family & Children’s Services, other Solano partners recognizing Child Care Provider Appreciation Day include the Solano County Office of Education, the Local Child Care Planning Council, and the Solano County Licensed Family Child Care Association.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION