With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
The State Is Expanding Childcare Capacity -- But Will Providers Stay Open?
()
Now that schools are closed, the state agency that licenses childcare providers is expanding the ability to provide care. But some providers are questioning whether they should take on more kids, or even stay open at all.
An emergency waiver from the California Department of Social Services allows employers to open emergency childcare services, and independent providers to increase the number of kids in their care if there’s a childcare shortage.
The department is also working to create a temporary workforce to staff emergency childcare at high-need employers such as hospitals.
The guidance and licensing waivers issued on Tuesday placed much of the decisionmaking on the providers themselves -- which raised a lot of questions. So many providerstried to join a Department of Social Services conference call Tuesday that it caused technical difficulties.
Support for LAist comes from
Kim Martin, who has run a licensed childcare out of her North Hollywood home for 23 years, was looking for more clarity on whether to keep operating.
“I personally am not going to close unless they tell me, but part of me wants them to tell me to close because I'm a little nervous too,” she said. “There are people who still need care.”
One reason she’s nervous is that she turned 66 this year, making her part of the population more likely to get seriously ill from the coronavirus. In addition, she doesn’t believe she would qualify for any kind of unemployment if she closed.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails.
Best of LAist