Long-time Antioch family child care provider Janeen Rockwell recently retired, but says her “dedication to the field of family child care” is keeping her active  with the California Child Development Corps. In April, she and other Corps participants testified at state budget hearings. Rockwell spoke out about including all family child care providers in the state’s plans to spend stimulus funds.

“Where’s the money for family child care providers?”

At the Assembly budget hearing, Rockwell noticed that stimulus funds had been set aside for two years of professional development for teachers and providers at programs that contract with the state (Title 5) and also exempt providers—but not for other providers and teachers working under Title 22 regulations.

“When I said ‘But where’s the money for (all) family child care providers?’ I think the (budget) committee was shocked,” she says. “This was at the tail end of the hearing and it kind of woke everybody up.” The committee chair asked Child Development Division representatives if they knew anything about it, Rockwell remembers, and they said they didn’t.

“I told them professional child care providers and teachers are on the brink of poverty, like the parents we serve. Most parking lot attendants make more than providers. That is really sad—people who watch our car are paid more than those that watch our children.”

It’s important to include all teachers and providers in any future state plan for professional development, says Sara Hicks-Kilday, staff support to the Corps. Family child care providers and teachers in Title 22 programs aren’t eligible for professional development stipends through AB 212 (with some exceptions in LA). First 5 funding for CARES stipends has been on the chopping block in recent years. “This creates a big hole in the middle of funds for program quality. All teachers need access to professional development and compensation so they can stay in the field,” she adds.

“We’ll be forgotten if we don’t speak out”

“I thought the average individual can’t get involved,” says Rockwell. “Now I know that’s not true. Anyone can go and say their piece. (Legislators) were listening. It’s really important that providers are involved. We’ll be forgotten if we don’t speak out.”

Announcements

• Watch for announcements about ways to take action to protect funding for children, families, and early childhood education. Email corps@caccwrc.org to join our list serve. Contact your county representatives to be active in your county. Help table, take action, and speak out.
  
  
• Save the date! California Child Develop-ment Corps Annual Meeting and Training, Oct. 17 in Contra Costa. Open to a limited number of early childhood teachers and providers from each county. This is a great way to get to know the Corps. Contact Working for Quality Child Care, 415-808-7327, corps@caccwrc.org

For more information, contact:

• Alameda:  Marva Lyons, 510-521-3997
  and Margaret Costello-Chevis, 510-226-9414
  
  
• Butte: Jennifer Ferrini, 530-893-2443
  
  
• Contra Costa: Donna Daly, 925-833-0834
  
  
• Humboldt: Danielle Koren, 707-443-2497
  
  
• Los Angeles: Catherine Scott, 562-572-9939
  
  
• Riverside: Tamara Dobson, 951-340-3186
  
  
• San Diego: Katy Kenshur, 760-436-3725
  
  
• San Francisco: Valentina Feldman, 415-861-5361
  
  
• San Joaquin: Bettina Engleman, 209-601-9467
  
  
• San Mateo: Silvia Espinoza, 650-359-4675
  
  
• Santa Barbara: Christine Fleenor, 805-937-0675
  
  
• Shasta: Carol VonBrandt, 530-365-1931
  
  
• Solano: June Regis, 707-439-0876
  
  

If your county is not listed above, contact Sara Hicks-Kilday at cares@caccwrc.org, 415-808-7327. For Spanish, contact Teresa Calle-Streicker, 415-821-7871.