The Child Care and Development Services Act, administered by the State Department of Education, provides that children from infancy to 13 years of age are eligible for federal and state subsidized child development services if their families meet at least one requirement in each of certain areas. The act requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to administer general childcare and development programs with funds appropriated for these purposes, as provided. The act also requires the department to contract with local contracting agencies for alternative payment programs for services provided throughout the state.
This bill would make legislative findings and declarations relating to early care and education programs and would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to appropriate $1,000,000,000 to
immediately improve access to alternative payment programs and general childcare and development programs.