Groups of child care providers and parents declared May 8 as a nationwide Day Without Child Care. Demonstrations highlighted the need for affordable child care and better pay for child care staff.
Title 42 is coming to an end on Thursday, so KPBS spoke with local leaders to find out if they’re ready for the influx of migrants. In other news, a rescue sanctuary in Santa Ysabel wants people to know that foxes have the potential to do life-saving work. Plus, KPBS metro reporter talks about his new podcast, “Freeway Exit.”
So let’s unpack exactly how the raise will work.
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California sets the rates child care workers are paid to care for kids through its subsidy programs based on a survey of child care costs across the state.
Right now, providers are paid at the 75th percentile of the 2016 rate. For example, in L.A. County family child care providers get a maximum of
$5.80 an hour for each infant who needs full-time monthly care.
A more recent 2018 survey exists and state law says it s the intent of the legislature to reimburse child care providers at the 85th percentile of the most recent survey. That intent hasn’t been the reality for the last three years.
Many L.A. Area Hospitals Entering Surge Mode
The availability of intensive care beds at many Southern California hospitals has reached zero percent because of an explosion of new COVID patients. Forecasts predict if infection rates continue, there could be thousands of people in need of ICU beds in the region by early next month.
Child Care Providers Keeping Doors Open With Little Support
The COVID-19 Pandemic has been tough for California’s child care providers. Many have struggled to keep their doors open in order to care for the children of essential workers, and getting little support themselves.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED