We’ve had a pretty busy April!
Here our some of our highlights as we seek to rebuild California’s child care system and win a voice in our industry…
1. California Assembly takes important step to improve California’s child care system.
Earlier this month, the California State Assembly’s Labor Committee passed a Child Care Improvement bill (AB 641, introduced by Assemblyman Anthony Rendon, 63rd District). The bill includes quality improvements to child care and will allow child care providers to have a seat at the table when decisions are being made about their industry.
In state after state across the country, providers have been given a voice to successfully advocate for safety measures, training to standardize quality, and improved access to qualty care for families.We need similar legislation in California. We need AB 641.
Join us as we advocate for AB 641 and other legislation that will improve access, quality, and safety in California’s child care system.
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Some of the awesome providers who went to Sacramento for the convention, including Local 99’s own Marta Delgado (far left). They spent the morning talking to delegates about how important child care is to California’s future. |
2. Child Care Providers help legislators “make art” in support of child care at the California Democratic Party Convention.
Earlier this month, providers from all over the state set up a booth to greet Sacramento legislators at the important California Democratic Party Convention. The interactive art booth gave legislators an opportunity to learn more about the childcare crisis impacting California families, as well as asked them to commit their support to improve the child care system through our bill, AB 641.
Check out this article about the event where providers asked lawmakers and delegates to “get their hands dirty” in support of CA child care. Be sure to watch the great video of SEIU Local 99 Marta Delgado painting Senator Kevin de León’s hand!
3. LAUSD resolves to support child care providers in their efforts to have a stronger voice in their industry.
School Board Members at the Los Angeles Unified School District —the 2nd largest school district in the nation—amended a resolution earlier this month to include language that recognizes the crucial part of our early education system that family child care providers supply. The Board resolved to support providers as they seek a seat at the table when decisions are being made in Sacramento about California’s child care system. Read more here.
4. Child Care Providers tell Walmart to behave!
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| Walmart customers participate in a “Show of Hands” art display in support of Walmart workers and their child care providers. |
On a national day of action at Walmart stores this week, child care providers stood with Walmart employees as they called for fairer scheduling at their stores.
Last January, Walmart management agreed to be more transparent and consistent about shift scheduling. But Walmart has failed to follow through. This forces working parents to scramble with last-minute child care arrangements. Workers at Walmart are unable to secure consistent daycare for their kids and often have to settle for leaving their children with someone who happens to be available instead of a child care provider they trust.
Walmart shoppers dipped their hand in colorful paint to show their support for working parents and their children in a “Show of Hands” installation.
Check out the coverage in the Long Beach Press Telegram here and here.
