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LA And California Expand Childcare Options For Essential Workers
Mariana Dale/LAist
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Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced new resources Friday for hospital workers who need child care.
The goal is “to ensure that no essential worker misses a shift, because he or she doesn't have child care during this crisis,” Garcetti said in a press conference.
There are three options available for workers:
- A $100 stipend per shift for workers to offset the cost of child care, including by paying a relative or friend to watch the kids.
- Free referrals to center-based and home child care through an L.A. County hotline, 888-92CHILD (922-4453), and website, and third-party services WeeCare and CarinaCare.
- Child care at five Los Angeles Parks and Recreation centers near hospitals for kids 6-to-14 years old, starting Monday, April 13 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The new child care options are currently available for workers at White Memorial, California Hospital Medical Center, Northridge Medical Center and Glendale Memorial Hospital.
Garcetti advised parents to consult their hospital’s human resources department to find the best service for their family. The initiative is funded by the Mayor’s Fund For Los Angeles.
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There are an estimated 305,000 California children whose parents work in health fields and could need care, according to researchers at Colorado State University and Yale.
California is expanding its child care subsidy program, which is typically limited to low-income families, to include more essential workers.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced earlier in the day there will be $100 million in emergency funding related to child care – $50 million to help frontline workers pay for child care and $50 million for providers to purchase cleaning supplies, gloves and facial coverings.
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