Santa Clara Co. Supes Push For More Children's Programs

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — Two Santa Clara County elected officials are hoping the Board of Supervisors votes next week to boost investment in local children by the millions.

Supervisors Susan Ellenberg and Cindy Chavez this week announced the completion of the county's "Children's Budget," which aims to allocate $170 million in public funds for county-wide children's programs and services, also specifically asking for a reserve fund for childcare facilities that need improvements.

"Santa Clara County needs to prioritize children because doing so is the single most important investment a society makes in its future," Ellenberg said in a statement. "We are unable to accomplish that goal without first knowing where we currently stand. The Children's Budget is a critical baseline and first step towards where we are headed: towards a County that places the needs of our children as their single greatest priority."

Ellenberg and Chavez will host a news conference at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the front plaza of Santa Clara County Government Center at 70 West Hedding St. to unveil their upcoming proposal asking the Board of Supervisors to accept the budget.

"Child care has become a barrier to work and economic stability, especially for mothers, who disproportionately become the unpaid caregivers when the family cannot find or afford child care," Chavez said in a statement. "Businesses meanwhile lose billions because of their employees' child care challenges. There is a direct link between access to child care, parental employment and economic growth."

—Bay City News Service