All children deserve to be well nourished and thrive. But California fails to fairly invest in nourishing our youngest learners and supporting child care providers. Existing state law creates an inequitable gap that keeps certain providers from receiving the full state reimbursement for meals served to children in their care.

This gap means family child care home-based child care providers receive no state funding for one out of every four meals they serve. California’s
child care system undervalues and underpays essential labor historically performed by Black, Latina, and immigrant women. Ending the reimbursement gap is one important step toward eliminating those inequities.

Legislative Action

1) Bring equity to child care nutrition programs by eliminating the reimbursement gap that discriminates against providers in family child care (FCC) homes.

2) Support the Governor’s January budget proposal to provide a $1.5 million COLA to Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) operators to account for the increased cost of food

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Food with Care

Fair pay for child care providers.

Free meals for all kids.