HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY - J. RYDINGSWORD

Approve Support Letter for the Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children from the Board of Supervisors.

SBC FILE NUMBER: 130

San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency would like to request the Board of Supervisors approve a support letter for the Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children.  Attached is an overview of the need for Child Care services and funding for children in Foster Care.  Recently surveyed foster families through foster family agencies cited that concerns about child care affect recruitment and the willingness of foster parents to accept young children into their care.  Further, in San Benito County the same need has been identified during recruitment and retention efforts.   In addition, the San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency recently requested child care support funding from the California Department of Social Services under the Foster Parent Recruitment, Retention and Support proposal.  The request for child care was denied across the state to many counties who requested funding for child care support.  This denial came to the attention of the Children’s Advocacy Coalitions/Organizations, who recently came together to request a new, ongoing state budget investment that would be dedicated to increasing child care access for foster families.

It is believed that this proposal can greatly aid in the recruitment of more foster parents and is well-aligned to the larger Continuum of Care Reform effort.  As indicated in the attached fact sheet, this proposal is supported by a broad range of organizations, including the County Welfare Directors Association. 

Approve support letter for the Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children on behalf of the San Benito County Board of Supervisors; authorize the Board Chair to sign said support letter for the Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children.