It is always appreciated when we can celebrate the successes that impact our youngest children and their families. Last year, Monterey County experienced significant shifts at the State level to support early childhood development, including the passage of AB 300: child care and development services.

In late January, the First 5 Commission recognized the commitment and leadership behind this legislation. Notably, Assembly Member Caballero drafted AB 300 and brought it to lawmakers in response to local needs shared by Shannan Watkins, Chair of the Child Care Planning Council, and Francine Rodd, First 5 Monterey County Executive Director. Those challenges centered around the complexities and barriers within the current child care funding system. Assembly Member Caballero and her staff participated in multiple hearings on both sides of the Legislature and last minute negotiations involving AB 300. Because of Assembly Member Caballero's tireless, collaborative work with local and state advocates, the bill was passed and Governor Brown signed the legislation into law on October 12, 2017.

AB 300 provides a powerful tool for the Central Coast early learning community. Subsidy programs in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties now have the flexibility to increase income eligibility guidelines for families to serve more children, offer higher reimbursement rates to child care providers, and contract with programs that can fully use available subsidies.

Francine Rodd and Nina Alcaraz, First 5 Monterey County Senior Policy, Advocacy, and Communications Manager, presented Assembly Member Caballero and Enedina Garcia, Legislative Assistant, with a certificate of appreciation during a recent trip to Sacramento (pictured). Aline Reyna, District Director, was also recognized during the January Commission meeting.