Governor’s May Revise Continues to Neglect Funding for Child Care Meals
Published on May 17, 2021 in Child Nutrition, State Legislation, Young Children
Nourish California is disappointed the Administration's 2021-22 May Revise did not include any rate increase for child care providers, including no provisions to increase funding for child care meals. This despite the fact that child care providers - mainly Black, Brown, and immigrant women - are facing significant food hardship with more than half reporting often or sometimes running out of food.
California’s child care programs continue to work on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis to make sure our youngest learners and even school-aged kids are nourished, but have yet to see any state relief. The state provided financial relief for school meals in last year’s budget (75 cents per meal), but no money has been allocated for child care nutrition.
California’s child care system was inadequately funded before the pandemic, but COVID-19 has only exacerbated the problem. State leaders must make critical investments to support the child care system. That includes paying subsidized child care providers a living wage, but also kicking in support to stabilize the state’s child care nutrition infrastructure.
What’s Next?
Now that the Governor has released the May Revise, the Senate and the Assembly will hold hearings to debate areas of misalignment. The Legislature must agree on a budget by June 15. Between now and then we will continue to weigh in with Senate and Assembly members. Last week we shared our concerns with the Senate budget subcommittee chairs and will continue to lift up the importance of adequately funding child care and providing dedicated funding for child care meals.