Our office will be closed for business on Monday, September 4th in observance of the Labor Day holiday. We will return Tuesday, September 5th.

Join us in welcoming Mari Largent, our new Director of Human Resources. Mari is an incredible leader with a wealth of experience and knowledge in all areas of Human Resources. She has spent the past 27 years in Human Resources for the State of California and comes to us from the State Compensation Insurance Fund where she was the Director of Organizational and Leadership Development.

Mari has worked endlessly to help build high performing teams and achieve organizational goals. She uses her intellect and engaging personality to build strong relationships with others and lead teams to success. 



Welcome, Mari!

On July 30, Child Care Provider Union members voted on and ratified a bargaining agreement. This agreement will go to the Legislature as a trailer bill. Once approved by the Legislature, it will then go to the Governor for signature into law.

Once signed by the Governor, this bargaining agreement will be in effect for two years (2023-25). The terms of the contract include the following: 



·A rate increase will go into effect January 1, 2024. In November, providers will receive a ‘transition payment’ while they wait for the rate increase to go into effect.

·Providers will be paid based on enrollment, rather than actual attendance, through June 2025.

·The requirement for full-time pay has been changed from ‘30 hours’ to ‘25 hours’ per week.

·$80 million set aside for a retirement fund for Family Child Care Homes (FCCHs).

·$40 million for training for FCCHs.

·$100 million for health care for FCCHs.

·Continues the suspension and expulsion working group for Family Child Care Home Networks through March 2024.

We mentioned in our August Connections Newsletter that the Governor signed a budget with child care subsidy parent fee reforms. As a result, outstanding parent fee debt has been waived for some families. It benefits families and our community when families are not strapped by outstanding debt.

For some families, fees will resume beginning October 1, 2023. Enrolled families who will have fees due commencing October 1st have received a direct email from Child Action, Inc. The fee schedule for child care subsidy families includes:

·Fees shall not exceed 1 percent of the family’s monthly income.

·A family with an adjusted monthly family income below 75 percent of the state median family income shall not be charged or assessed a family fee.

·See image below for fees related to income/family size

Upcoming for 2023-2024

We are looking forward to a new year of partnering with you! Our workshops support the community with child development topics, trauma informed care strategies, child care start-up, and building relationships with families and children.

Visit our Calendar of Events often as we add new trainings.

For over 20 years, the Quality Child Care Collaborative (QCCC) has supported providers to build their capacity to care for children. Agencies like Child Action, Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) and the Department of Behavioral Health Services work alongside child care providers as they learn strategies that support the individual needs of each child within the context of their family and culture. Contact us to talk about consultation services for your program.

The QCCC is also hosting a series of free workshops starting September 6th. Providers and parents are encouraged to join us and learn more about developmental screening tools, children’s milestones as they grow, and how the QCCC can support providers and families.

Supporting Our Children

First Wednesday of the Month

Beginning September 6, 2023

6:30pm to 8:00pm

Contact workshops@childaction.org to register.

Child Action is joining SMUD and dozens of other community-based organization for a Community Resource Expo on September 21st.

Register today to access the following resources:

• Healthcare, mental health
• Utility discounts
• Free legal services
• Home repair and weatherization
• Financial assistance, debt relief
• Plus, dozens more!

Click here to register

Click here to arrange for FREE transportation provided through Regional Transit 

We will also be out at the Oak Park Literacy Festival on Saturday, September 30th. Visit https://www.sacramentoliteracy.org/literacy-festival/ to learn more.

We hope you can join us. Stop by our table to say hello!

Stay Up to Date on Child Care Licensing Information

Have you signed up to receive valuable information from Community Care Licensing? Stay current on regulations, state grant and stipend opportunities, and valuable resources by subscribing to receive these notifications for child care providers.



https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/subscribe

View previous Provider Information Notices (PIN) here:

https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/policy/provider-information-notices

View previous Child Care Bulletins here:

https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/letters-regulations/letters-and-notices/child-care-bulletins

CDSS Survey & Input Sessions Announcement:

California Cost of Child Care Study 2023

California is changing how it pays for child care! 

Make your voice heard by participating in a Virtual Input Session and by completing the CA Cost of Child Care Survey. This is your opportunity to share what it truly costs to provide quality child care – not just what families can afford to pay. 

The survey and input sessions will allow early care and education providers, including child care and development centers, family child care homes, tribal programs, and license-exempt family, friend, or neighbor care providers to share information on current expenses and the true cost of care

Click HERE to learn more

Sacramento County's Office of Emergency Services has partnered with local cities to provide residents with evacuation zone maps online. Knowing your evacuation zone and evacuation route before an unexpected disaster occurs can help you and your family stay safe.

Visit https://www.saccounty.gov/news/latest-news/Pages/Don%E2%80%99t-Wait-Know-How-to-Evacuate!.aspx to learn more.

Early learning settings are rich with opportunities to practice social and emotional skills. These stories highlight children as they learn to express and regulate their own emotions.

By Karen Katz

By Julia Cook

By Lemony Snicket

Child Action, Inc. |childaction.org