Child Care Providers Rally at State Capitol, Call on Lawmakers for Payment Reform & to Vote No on 1A & 1D
Monday, May 11, 2009 at 4:23PM | Admin 
State Senator Denise Ducheny's Chief of Staff accepts petitions from CCPUnited members Nancy Wyatt and Soccoro Avita.Family child care providers, parents, and their supporters delivered nearly 2,000 signatures from registered voters who have pledged to vote down Propositions 1A and 1D to legislative staff working for California State Senators Denise Ducheny and Christine Kehoe at the state capitol May 4.
They also called on key lawmakers to support payment reform measures on behalf of providers and the families who rely on them.
Child Care Providers United of California at the state capitol."We're here from all over the state to make our voices heard for California's working families, " said Socorro Avita, a provider and leader of Child Care Providers United (CCPUnited) of California.
Proposition 1A would severely limit state revenues and expand the governor's authority to slash needed programs for working families.
Proposition 1D would shift funds away from local programs benefiting young children and potentially eliminate education stipends for thousands of providers and teachers.
Child Care Providers United of California at the state capitol.CCPUnited leaders urged lawmakers to follow the lead of their constituents in rejecting Propositions 1A and 1D.
"Providers work hard to offer the highest quality care for our kids, " said CCPUnited member and leader Gerika Parcon from Sacramento County. "Prop 1D would drive good providers out of the field, reduce quality of care, and limit parent choices for child care. California voters are smarter than that."
The providers also pressed officials like Assemblymember Joan Buchanan (D-Danville) to support Assembly Bill (AB) 304 (Price, D-LA) and AB 315 (DeLeon, D-LA).
"I think it [AB 304] is a great idea, and you can count on my support," said Buchanan.
AB 304 would offer direct deposit to providers looking after children from families eligible for subsidized child care.
AB 315 would standardize payment procedures and notification policies for providers statewide.
Providers testified in strong support of both bills at legislative hearings in Sacramento the previous week.
"Providers know first hand the struggles of making ends meet," said CCPUnited member Carolyn Thompson from Contra Costa County. " Lawmakers can make a huge difference in so many lives by saying yes to [AB304 & AB 315]. "
Late last week, both AB 304 and 315 passed their respective committees.
CCPUnited is a union formed by child care providers for child care providers that advocates for early education and quality care for all families that work for a living. CCPUnited works to build a strong, united voice for family child care.
To find out more, or to join Child Care Providers United of California, call toll free at 1-866-336-9333 or 1-866-574-8907.
1a, 1d, AB 304, AB 315, CCPUnited, Child Care Providers United, Sacramento, lobby day, propositions in California, child care news, politics
Reader Comments (2)
Rally for all Child care providers and parents in the Antelope Valley, against the Budget Crisis targetting our children!
We're meeting 4:30 pm, on Tues., June 23rd, at McAdams Park in Palmdale, CA
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