HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4a. Childcare Initiatives and Health Vitality Presentation by First 5 SLO Item 4a
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 9/7/2022
Item Number: 4a
FROM: Beya Makekau, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
Phone Number: (805) 781-7073
E-mail: bmakekau@slocity.org
SUBJECT: CHILDCARE INITIATIVES AND HEALTH VITALITY PRESENTATION BY
FIRST 5 SLO
RECOMMENDATION
Receive a presentation on childcare initiatives by First 5 SLO representatives and provide
feedback to inform community and partner agency efforts to expand childcare options in
the city of San Luis Obispo.
BACKGROUND
As a public agency dedicated to addressing the needs of young children prenatal to 5 and
their families, First 5 is deeply involved in work to advocate for a strong child care system
in our community. Over the past two years, First 5 has been actively partnering with other
local public agencies to determine what role government can play in helping unlock
childcare capacity during this critical time. Staff from First 5 would like to present to the
Human Relations Commission highlights from this work to date, and also the beginnings
of a roadmap for potential action by the community and partner agencies in the future.
As a part of current Major City Goal work, the City invested $54,000 in a new pilot project
with CAPSLO to increase the number of child care slots available. The pilot program
called “Direct Support for Family Child Care Start-ups” is managed through CAPSLO’s
existing Child Care Initiative Project and was offered again in 2022. Up to 10 new
childcare businesses were able to apply for $5,000 grants funded by the City, which could
be used to start a childcare business, eliminate barriers to licensure, and accelerate the
creation of additional, quality, childcare slots.
The City also provides before and after school programming as well as summer programs
to approximately 1,000 school age children annually. This includes subsidized care and
work with various partners for placement.
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