News and Advocacy Activities
News and Advocacy Activities
This page is to celebrate your hard work and dedication to making positive changes for the ECE community. See what was accomplished each month on behalf of ECE Voices: The Educators' Advocacy Network. This page will also highlight events available for all to attend.
For up to date legislation that is relevant to the early childhood education field, click the button below.
Esta página reconoce tu arduo trabajo y dedicación para generar cambios positivos en la comunidad de la Educación Infantil Temprana (ECE, por sus siglas en inglés). Aquí podrás ver los logros mensuales alcanzados por ECE Voices: La Red de Defensa de los Educadores. Esta página también destacará eventos disponibles para todos.
Haz clic en el botón de abajo para consultar las últimas legislaciones relevantes al campo de la educación infantil temprana.
May 2024/mayo 2024
May 6 - Kidango and ECE Voices Advocacy Day was a day full of important meetings with legislators to continue the discussion of the true cost of care for subsidized providers. Thank you to Kidango and ECE Voices Lead and Community Advocates for being dedicated. to unifying the early care and education field's voices and sending a powerful message to California that change must happen!
April 2024/Abril de 2024
April 24 Advocacy Day was a huge success with budget hearings attended by almost 30 ECE Voices Advocates and
testimony provided by four EveryChild California and ECE Voices members!
Budget Hearings
April 24, 10:00 am
Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance:
Early Childhood Education Programs, CDSS, CDE to discuss Child Care and Preschool Programs and UTK Implementation
Location: State Capitol, Room 126
Final agenda won’t be out until a day or 2 before the hearing
April 25, 9:30 am or upon adjournment of session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee on Health and Human Services:
CDSS, Child Welfare, Bringing Families Home Program, Child Care and Development
Location: 1021 O Street, Room 1200 - no teleconference service
The final agenda is not available
On April 22nd our Los Angeles area childcare providers united to advocate for subsidized childcare issues with Assemblymember's Freddie Rodriguez and Tom Lackey staff, Board of Supervisor Hilda Solis' representative Anthony Cespedes, and Senate HS Consultant Diana Dominguez.
April 18th Sacramento Region hosted a Meet and Greet with local childcare providers and representatives from Angelique Ashby, Stephanie Nguyen, Board of Supervisor Pat Hume and City Council Member Eric Guerra. At this meeting they shared their stories from the field to help state and local leaders understand their needs and help support them.
April 10th Concord area childcare providers came together to share their stories with Senator Tim Grayson's office. With their advocacy they are helping bring information to the State Capitol for positive changes for subsidized care!
April 6th
Join ECE Voices Lead Advocate Christian Patterson and the Resource and Referral Agency of Santa Barbara County for Brave the
20th Annual Child Development Conference in Santa Maria on April 6th!
April 4 - Assembly Budget Committee Early Action Summary, Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel
March 2024/Marzo de 2024
March 25-27 ECE Voices Advocacy Organizer Justina Erpelding and EveryChild California's Community Engagement Coordinator, Eli Lopez attended the First 5 Summit in Oakland. It was wonderful to see so many ECE providers come together to learn and network. Welcome to our new members!
On March 23, Region 5 Lead Advocate Jessica Kranz, hosted a Meet and Greet in Salinas between ECE providers and Senator Anna Caballero's staff, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren's staff, and Board of Supervisor Luis Alejo. Many stories from the field were shared and work continues on behalf of ECE Providers across California.
March 20, 2024 - California Leaders Reach Agreement to Address Budget Gap
Senate Leader Mike McGuire and Senate Budget and Fiscal Review released a plan by Senate Democrats to take early action on the budget, to reduce the budget shortfall: CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE EARLY ACTION PLAN
Public Hearing Announcement for the Child Care and Development Fund 2025-2027 State Plan
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will hold a Public Hearing to receive public comments on the draft 2025-27 Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan. Every three years, states and territories receiving CCDF funds must prepare and submit to the federal government a State Plan detailing how the State will allocate and expend these funds. A draft version of the plan is available on the CDSS’ Child Care and Development Fund State Plan webpage for review prior to the Public Hearing.
Took place on March 6th
Anuncio de Audiencia Pública para el Plan Estatal del Fondo de Cuidado y Desarrollo Infantil 2025-2027
El Departamento de Servicios Sociales de California (CDSS) llevará a cabo una Audiencia Pública para recibir comentarios públicos sobre el borrador del Plan Estatal del Fondo de Cuidado y Desarrollo Infantil (CCDF) 2025-2027. Cada tres años, los estados y territorios que reciben fondos de CCDF deben preparar y presentar al gobierno federal un Plan Estatal que detalle cómo el Estado asignará y gastará estos fondos. Una versión preliminar del plan está disponible en la página web del Plan Estatal del Fondo de Cuidado y Desarrollo Infantil del CDSS para su revisión antes de la Audiencia Pública.
La Audiencia Pública se llevará a cabo en la sede del CDSS en la siguiente fecha, dirección y hora:
Tuvo lugar 6 de marzo de 2024
Budget Information:
March 15th ECE Voices presented Advocacy 101 at the Power of Advocacy event in Orange County. Welcome to all of our new ECE Voices members!
On March 9 ECE Voices attended the Long Beach Early Childhood Education Symposium and met with hundreds of providers in the ECE Field. Welcome to our almost 100 new members! We look forward to advocating for ECE with you!
February 2024/febrero de 2024
- The 2024-25 Budget: Proposition 98 and K-12 Education
- The 2024-25 Budget: The Governor’s Proposition 98 Funding Maneuver
The California Department of Education (CDE) in consultation with the Department of Social Services (DSS) and the State Board of Education (SBE), convenes
a Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Mixed Delivery statewide Workgroup (Workgroup). As part of a statewide collaborative effort, the CDE has welcomed the partnership of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
The CDE is required, in consultation with DSS and SBE, to report to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature and the Department of Finance with the Workgroup's recommendations by March 31, 2024.
The UPK Workgroup Consolidated Report has been posted on the California Educators Together (CET) website under the category Report Development Documents and can be viewed at Consolidated Second Draft. 2.9.24. Additionally, a survey has been released to obtain Workgroup members and public feedback on the recommendations.
The Recommendations Feedback survey is live and can be accessed at this link: UPK Mixed Delivery Quality and Access Report Consolidated Second Draft Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com). The deadline to complete this survey for both the public and members of the Workgroup is Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. PST.
El Departamento de Educación de California (CDE), en consulta con el Departamento de Servicios Sociales (DSS) y la Junta de Educación del Estado (SBE), ha convocado un Grupo de Trabajo estatal de Prekindergarten Universal (UPK) de Entrega Mixta (Grupo de Trabajo). Como parte de un esfuerzo de colaboración a nivel estatal, el CDE ha dado la bienvenida a la asociación de la Comisión de Acreditación de Maestros de California (CTC).
El CDE está obligado, en consulta con el DSS y el SBE, a informar a los comités fiscales y de política apropiados de la Legislatura y al Departamento de Finanzas con las recomendaciones del Grupo de Trabajo antes del 31 de marzo de 2024.
Encargo del Grupo de Trabajo:
- Proponer recomendaciones sobre las mejores prácticas para aumentar el acceso a programas de prekindergarten universal de alta calidad para niños de tres y cuatro años ofrecidos a través de un modelo de entrega mixta que proporcione experiencias de aprendizaje equitativas en diversos entornos.
- Proponer recomendaciones para actualizar los estándares de prekindergarten de acuerdo con la sección 8203 del Código de Educación para apoyar el acceso equitativo a programas de prekindergarten y kindergarten de transición de alta calidad a través del modelo de entrega mixta y en todos los entornos y fuentes de financiamiento apropiados.
- Asegurar que las recomendaciones estén alineadas con el trabajo del Plan Maestro para el Aprendizaje y Cuidado Temprano, sin recomendar nuevos cambios en el sistema que generen mayores costos estatales o locales para ofrecer el prekindergarten en todo el sistema de entrega mixta.
El Informe Consolidado del Grupo de Trabajo sobre UPK se ha publicado en el sitio web de California Educators Together (CET) en la categoría "Documentos de Desarrollo de Informes" y puede consultarse en "Consolidated Second Draft. 2.9.24". Además, se ha publicado una encuesta para obtener la opinión de los miembros del Grupo de Trabajo y del público sobre las recomendaciones.
La encuesta sobre los comentarios de las recomendaciones está abierta y se puede acceder a ella en este enlace: Encuesta de comentarios sobre el Informe Consolidado Segundo Borrador de Calidad y Acceso de Entrega Mixta UPK (surveymonkey.com). La fecha límite para completar esta encuesta, tanto para el público como para los miembros del Grupo de Trabajo, es el martes 20 de febrero de 2024 a las 9:00 a.m. PST.
He realizado los siguientes cambios para mejorar la traducción:
- He utilizado títulos y subtítulos para mejorar la organización y legibilidad del texto.
- He reformulado algunas frases para que sean más claras y concisas.
- He sustituido algunos términos técnicos por equivalentes más fáciles de entender.
Espero que esta traducción sea útil. No dude en preguntarme si tiene alguna otra pregunta.
January/enero 2024
Advocacy Day at the Capitol - January 24th
- Over 40 Legislative Visits Made
- Over 20 ECE Voices Representatives Attended
- ECE Providers represented
- Concord
- Fresno
- Los Angeles
- Sacramento
- San Bernardino
- Santa Barbara
- San Diego
- Ventura
Día de Defensa en el Capitolio - 24 de enero
- Más de 40 visitas legislativas realizadas
- Más de 20 representantes de ECE Voices asistieron
- Representantes de centros de ECE de:
- Concord
- Fresno
- Los Ángeles
- Sacramento
- San Bernardino
- Santa Bárbara
- San Diego
- Ventura
- Governor's January Budget Proposal
- On January 16th, Lead Advocate Jessica Kranz hosted a Meet & Greet at Go Kids in Watsonville. Providers met with Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas' Field Staff, 4th District Supervisor Felipe Hernandez, Assemblymember Dawn Addis's staff, and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren's staff.
- January 23rd, from 5-6 pm, we learned about the ins and outs of writing and calling your representatives. This interactive training covered etiquette and provided scripts, sample letters, and a digital advocacy toolkit you can start using immediately.
December/diciembre 2023
Budget News
Legislative Analyst's Office 2024-25 Budget: California's Fiscal Outlook
Jason Sisney, CABudget Info: LAO: $68 billion deficit to address in 2024 article
December 9th Region 10 (San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, and Mono) hosted a Roundtable and Panel discussion with local representatives and hosts James Moses and Pam Robinson, Lead Advocates.
On December 12th, ECE Voices hosted Advocacy 101 on Zoom from 5-6pm. To watch this training, click here.
November 2023
- November 28, 2023, Budget 101 Part 2, 5 pm - 6 pm
- November 21, 2023 Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced changes to the Standing Committees for
- November 14, 2023, Budget 101 Part 1, 5 pm - 6 pm
- November 13th, Region 9 held it's first in-person networking event in San Diego!
- November 7, 2023, Legislation 101 Part 2, 5 pm - 6 pm
- November 2nd Meet at Greet with Region 5's Lead Advocate Jessica Kranz from Go Kids, Inc.
Representatives: Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas' Field Representative Hildelisa Murillo, Assemblymember Alex Lee's Legislative Assistant Sophia Quach, and Senator Dave Cortese joined ECE providers to share their legislative priorities and listen to provider's needs.
October 2023
October 17, 2023, Legislation 101 Part 1, Training, Zoom, 5 pm -6 pm
On October 14, 2023, ECE Voices joined the California Early Childhood Mentor Program's Annual Statewide Institute at Chabot College to share the
ECE Voices Network with mentors across the state of California.
On October 14, 2023, ECE Voices joined CocoKids 29th Annual Early Learning Conference at Diablo College to share the
network with early childhood educators.
On October 7th, Legislation 101, Part 1 Training took place via Zoom! This was ECE Voices' first online training.
September 2023
September 1, 2023, is the last day for fiscal committees to meet and report bills.
"If the bill has a fiscal impact or a state cost, it will be heard in either the Senate or Assembly Appropriations Committee. At this point, you should inform the committee members why you support or oppose the bill based on a fiscal argument. The finance committees are concerned about the fiscal impact and not policy considerations." https://www.senate.ca.gov/legislativeprocess
September 5-14, 2023, will be floor sessions only. Floor sessions are when the entire Assembly and Senate meet to discuss bills. September 14th is the last day for each house to pass bills. Upon adjournment on the 14th, the Legislature begins its recess.
September 15 - 30th is a great time to visit your local legislators and begin to develop a relationship with them. Invite them to your agency and have them see what you do for your community.
August 2023
August 14, 2023 Legislature reconvenes from Summer Recess.
EveryChild California Bills will be heard on August 14th.
- AB 555 Carrillo CSPP: Reimbursement Amounts: Adjustment Factors
- Senate Appropriations, Suspense File
- Fact Sheet
- AB 596 Reyes Rate Reform
- Senate Appropriations, Suspense File
- Fact Sheet
- AB 1038 Rendon Family Childcare Home Education Network
- Senate Appropriations, Suspense File
- Fact Sheet
- SB 380 Limon Rate Reform
- Assembly Appropriations, Hearing 8/23/23
- Letter of Support & Fact Sheet
- Position Letter Portal and Instructions
Family Fee Schedule effective October 2023 available here: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-and-development/fiscal-resources
Released August 7, 2023: Management Bulletin (MB) 23-06: Revised State Medium Income (SMI) Ceilings and Income Table for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24
https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/ci/mb2306.asp
August 14, 2023
The following documents were released by the legislature on 8/14/23. Please take time to read through them and bookmark them. We expect the Assembly Budget Committee to have a hearing on 8/30/23, and the trailer bill language has to be completed three days before the hearing. As the language is released, this page will be updated, and support template letters will be available.
August 28, 2023
On August 28, 2023, the end-of-session budget trailer bills were released. This includes the provisions for ongoing rate reform and CCPU negotiations. Early Childcare and Education Trailer Bill SB 140 (11:56 pm, 8/28/2023) and AB 140 (9:41 pm, 8/28/2023).
The Education Trailer Bills Contain the Following Provisions:
Change in the Definition for Part-Time and Full-Time Care
- Effective no later than March 1, 2024, part-time means services certified for a child for fewer than 25 hours per week.
- Effective no later than March 1, 2024, full-time means services certified for a child for 25 or more hours per week.
Hold Harmless Provisions
- Starting July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025, contract reimbursement shall be based on the lesser of either of the following:
- One hundred percent of the contract maximum reimbursable amount.
- Net reimbursable program costs.
- Providers shall be paid based on the maximum certified hours of care for families regardless of attendance.
Cost of Care Plus Rate
Starting January 1, 2024, ending June 30, 2025. programs shall receive a monthly cost of care plus rate for all children enrolled in subsidized child care and state preschool programs.
- The per-child rate is separated by regions, with different rates applied to Central, Southern, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area regions. The add-on rates range from $98 to $211, depending on the provider type and region in which a provider is located.
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There is a 10% administrative percentage to facilitate the processing of these payments for APPs and FCCHENs.
One-Time Stipend
A one-time-only stipend will be issued to all providers, ranging from $500 to $3,000 based on provider type. Payment will be issued no later than November 30, 2023. There is a 5% administrative percentage to facilitate the processing of these one-time-only stipends for APPs and FCCHENs.
Single Child Care System Rate
Gives authority to CDE and CDSS to develop a single reimbursement rate structure based on cost of care for subsidized child care programs no later than July 1, 2024.
July 2023
Child Care Provider's Union (CCPU) Tentative ratification agreement information:
Highlights of the agreement:
- a pathway to implement payment based on the actual cost of providing care
- a subsidy rate increase per child
- $80 million per year for a historic first-of-its-kind retirement fund
- Continued funding for CCPU Health Care Reimbursement Fund and CCPU Training Fund
- a two-year extension to payment by enrollment, not attendance
- Lowered hours per week to qualify for full-time reimbursement allowing more kids to qualify for full-time rates and more!
Timeline:
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Voting for the bargaining agreement started Wednesday, July 19th, through July 31st at 4 pm. All CCPU members will receive a vote.
- UPDATE: CCPU members voted overwhelmingly to approve the new 2-year Collective Bargaining Agreement with the state.
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Once voted on and ratified, the agreement will go to the legislature as Trailer Bills in August 2023.
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After being voted on by the legislature in August, it will go to the Governor for his signature. After Governor Newsom signs, the agreement will go into effect.
July 27, 2023
Child Care & Development Division Updates
Noticias de la División de Cuidado y Desarrollo
Infantil
California is changing how it pays for child care!
Building on the 2022 Cost of Quality Study, the California Department of Social Services is working with Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies to design
and implement an alternative methodology process to:
- Better understand how much it costs providers to deliver high-quality early care and education and stay in business.
- Develop a tool to help estimate the true cost of care based on variables such as program size, geographic location, and ages of children served that can be used to inform rate setting.
We need to hear from you! Make your voice heard by participating in a Virtual Input Session and completing the CA Cost of Child Care Survey.
This is your opportunity to share what it truly costs to provide quality child care – not just what families can afford to pay. For more information, go
to: https://www.prenatal5fiscal.org/california
June 2023
ECE Voices Lead Advocates and Community Advocates joined the CCPU Advocacy Day at the California Capitol to voice the need for provider pay increases and creating a new methodology for reimbursements that will include the true cost of care.
Your ECE Voices Team
Marching for Provider Pay!
May 2023
Valerie Denero, EveryChild California's Director of Policy and Education, and Justina Erpelding, EveryChild California's Advocacy Organizer and ECE Voices Coordinator, testifying at the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services hearing.
Valerie Denero EveryChild California's Director of Policy and Education, testifying at the Senate Budget Subcommittee #1 Education hearing.
Ken Herron, Chief Financial Officer/Co-Owner, Early Childhood Discovery Centers, Inc. and ECE Voices Region 7 Lead Advocate speaking at an Advocacy Day on May 10th.
April 2023
Nina Buthee, EveryChild California's Executive Director, testifying at the Assembly hearing for bill AB 596 Reyes: Rate Reform.