HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2025-01-14 Items Rec'd at Mtg 1/i`/l2c
Public Comment November/December 1m8'
Hello, my name is Jamie Sanbonmatsu, director of Valley View Children's Center and I am here
representing the San Luis Obispo County Early Care and Education Planning Council as part of it's
Advocacy Committee-a group committed to building and furthering the important work regarding child
care here on the Central Coast, and I am here to Acknowledge and reinvigorate your support in this
movement.
Much progress has been made to lift up child care in our county and to find solutions to the
ever-present child care crisis - You have had a crucial role in this.
The $3 million in county ARPA funds allocated to child care was dispersed through competitive grants,
this allowed relief from the extra challenges during and since the pandemic.
Child care is also increasingly being recognized as a foundational component of economic vitality. Uplift
Central Coast, a coalition dedicated to the economic resilience of the six county Central Coast region
from Santa Cruz to Ventura, recently released a regional plan. the Uplift plan with child care called out
as a main "Economic Mobility Strategy" and "Community Development Strategy." Addresses 17
different of needs in child care. Your Early Care and Education Planning Council has applied for this
grant to support our county in this area.
Finally, I want to let you know that the Early Care and Education Planning Council is hosting a Council
Retreat Friday, January 31st, 2025 --- 9 am - 3. In the spirit of We Are the Care, the retreat will focus
on collective impact, and as our civic leaders, you are critical to this work. More information and a
formal invitation is on the way!
The advocacy committee will be back periodically with more updates and progress reports. We Look
forward to our collaborative relationship with you in 2025, thank you!