Title:
Title
Strategic Plan to Increase Access to Childcare and Early Learning
End
FileID
File ID: 2019-01035
Location
Location: Citywide
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Pass a Motion directing the City Manager or City Manager’s designee to develop a Strategic Plan to Increase Access to Childcare and Early Learning that will serve as the guiding principle for the City’s activities to address the need for high quality, affordable childcare in the City.
Contact: Consuelo Hernandez, Director of Governmental Affairs, (916) 808-7395, Office of the City Manager
Body
Presenter: Consuelo Hernandez, Director of Governmental Affairs, (916) 808-7395, Office of the City Manager
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Strategic Plan for Early Care and Learning
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: On October 24, 2018, Vice Mayor Eric Guerra convened a public hearing on the shortage of childcare in Sacramento, convening local and state experts.
Discussions at the October 24 hearing identified six policy priorities:
1. Adopt Guiding Principles to Encourage Available, Accessible, Affordable, Quality Childcare and Early Learning
2. Reduce Costs
3. Support Childcare Providers
4. Connect Childcare to Early Childhood Education and Parent Supports
5. Provide Leadership to Ensure an Integrated Approach to Childcare
6. Advocate for Increased Funding and Support
The proposed Council policy delineates expectations of the City in regard to early care and learning. The recommended Strategic Plan to Increase Access to Childcare and Early Learning will serve as guiding principle for the City’s activities to address the need for high quality, affordable childcare in the City.
Policy Considerations: The General Plan 2030 Vision and Guiding Principles were adopted by the City Council in November 2005. The guiding vision is for Sacramento to become “the most livable city in America.” The Citywide Goals and Policies highlighted in the 2030 Plan include considerations for land use and economic development as well as education and recreation. Each of these considerations both impact and are impacted by the need for high quality, affordable childcare.
Economic Impacts: Unknown.
Environmental Considerations: This action is not a project that is subject to CEQA because it is an administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment, and it relates to government fiscal activities that do not involve any commitment to any specific project that may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. (CEQA Guidelines § 15378(a), (b)(2), (b)(4) and (b)(5)).
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: Recommendations were presented at the childcare hearing on October 24, 2018, for review and comment. On June 4, 2019, the Law and Legislation Committee recommended forwarding the Strategic Plan to Increase Access to Childcare and Early Learning to City Council for their consideration. As part of the 2019-2010 budget, the City Council approved redirecting/reclassifying an Economic Development Position as the City’s Childcare Manager to create and implement policies to make it easier for childcare providers to operate within the City.
Rationale for Recommendation: By establishing a comprehensive plan to address the growing need for quality and affordable childcare, the City will be better prepared to respond to possible local, state and federal policy changes affecting childcare. With this plan underway, the City will continue to establish itself as America’s most livable city - a city that offers valuable care for even the youngest of its citizens.
Financial Considerations: The Plan recommends a 1.0 Full-Time Equivalent staff person to coordinate efforts to increase the supply of childcare, including staffing a childcare work group and development of a childcare strategic plan. Resources were approved as part of the Fiscal Year 2019/20 budget in the Office of Innovation and Economic Development for inclusive economic development.
Additionally, recommendations to provide waivers or reduce costs for developing childcare facilities would result in a loss of revenue, the amount of which would depend on the number and size of facilities developed and which fees/costs are waived by future Council action.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.