SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 13,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled the 2022-23 May Revision
Proposal, which continues to reflect the state's vision to defend
women's right to choose, expand access to health care for all
Californians, and protect the most vulnerable.
"We applaud Governor Newsom's actions to support the
whole-child, whole-family framework by investing in children's
mental health, supporting child care providers and infrastructure
grants, and providing immediate financial relief to families most
impacted by rising inflation and cost pressures." said
Jackie Wong, Executive Director for
First 5 California.
The May Revision does not address the challenges that prevent
low-wage earners from utilizing the state's Paid Family Leave and
State Disability Insurance (SDI) programs. "The current wage
replacement rates and other administrative challenges do not allow
our lowest paid parents and caregivers the ability to access this
benefit to bond with their newborns and babies." said Ms. Wong.
"California can lead by making our
family paid leave program the most equitable in the nation by
addressing the shortfalls in these programs."
The May Revision estimates General Fund revenues to be about
$55 billion higher than January's
Budget Proposal, which provides this Administration an opportunity
to establish a broad-based relief package of $18.1 billion in fiscal relief to Californians to
address inflation-related cost pressures.
The May Revision Budget proposal outlines the following new
investments:
- $290 million to support
children's mental health and community-based youth suicide
prevention and outreach programs.
- $157 million to waive child care
and preschool family fees for about 400,000 low-income families
from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
- $200.5 million for minor
renovation and repair projects for child care facilities in
low-income regions and areas with minimal access to services.
- $114 million to hold harmless
voucher-based child care providers and preschool providers
reimbursement for authorized hours of care, from July 1, 2022 to June 30,
2023.
- $57 million, for a total of
$125 million, to expand access to
reproductive healthcare services, improve clinical infrastructure
and workforce support.
- $20 million to assist alternative
payment programs in capacity grants.
"We also want to recognize Senate pro Tem Toni Atkins's and Senator Nancy Skinner's leadership in crafting a budget
priority package that works for children and families, the Senate's
"Putting Wealth to Work," that would make significant investments
in improving early care and education." said Ms. Wong.
The Senate's "Putting Wealth to Work" plan proposes the
following investments:
- $1 billion in ongoing support to
increase provider reimbursement rates to the 90th
percentile of the regional market rate and additional funding to
improve benefits for the childcare workforce.
- $245 million to continue waiving
family fees and extending the provider hold harmless policies.
- $445 million for child care
facilities expansion and infrastructure investments, professional
development and workforce support.
- Increase eligibility for low-income children, address rate
adjustment factors to support preschool providers.
For more information about First 5 California, visit
www.ccfc.ca.gov.
ABOUT FIRST 5 CALIFORNIA:
First 5 California was established in 1998 when voters passed
Proposition 10, which taxes tobacco products to fund services for
children ages 0 to 5 and their families. First 5 California
programs and resources are designed to educate and support
teachers, parents, and caregivers in the critical role they play
during a child's first five years – to help California kids receive the best possible
start in life and thrive. For more information, please
visit www.ccfc.ca.gov.
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SOURCE First 5 California
