Frazier bill could increase child-care access in Solano County

SACRAMENTO (Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017) – Today, Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D–Solano) introduced AB 377, a bill authorizing Solano County to develop and implement an individualized county child care subsidy plan that will maximize allocated funding and efficiently use child care subsidy funds to meet local conditions, providing children and families access to quality child care. AB 377 allows for all funds the county has previously been required to give back to the state to stay in the community; therefore, there is no additional cost for this program.

California currently utilizes a uniform state family-income eligibility cutoff that does not reflect high costs of living. Families in Solano County are stuck in a tough spot because they barely earn enough to meet the cost of living while also considered to have too high of an income to qualify for child care subsidies.

“Right now we’re dependent on a ‘one-size-fits-all’ mentality, which is putting unnecessary stress on families and harming our children,” stated Frazier. “This program will help countless families who rely on child care for their livelihood.”

By allowing local control and more flexibility on eligibility, AB 377 will allow the County to use funds that have already been allocated to ensure quality learning programs are available for all families in Solano County.

“The Solano Children’s Alliance and the Solano Local Child Care Planning Council would like to thank Assemblyman Jim Frazier for his vision and leadership in introducing AB 377,” said Alan Kerzin, Executive Director for the Children’s Network. “This bill makes good fiscal and programmatic sense and is a ‘win-win’ for Solano County families.”

AB 377 was introduced today and will be assigned to a policy committee shortly.

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Assemblymember Frazier represents the 11th Assembly District, which includes Suisun City and Travis AFB. To contact his District Office in Fairfield, call 707-399-3011.