MONTEREY COUNTY — A new report, “Investing in Families: Expanding Child Care Access in Monterey County,” by California Budget & Policy Center experts Laura Pryor and Erik Saucedo, in collaboration with First 5 Monterey County, shines a spotlight on the critical child care challenges faced by families in Monterey County.
Developed with the support of the Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño and insights from local parents, the report underscores the urgent need to tailor child care policies to meet the diverse needs of families.
The report paints a stark picture of child care accessibility in Monterey County:
- Only 8% of children eligible for subsidized child care in the county received services in 2022 — falling below the state average of 11%;
- Out of 27,000 eligible children, just 2,235 were enrolled in subsidized programs; and
- Latinx families bear the brunt of this disparity, with nearly half of all Latinx children in the county eligible for subsidized child care.
“California’s families are grappling with the staggering costs of child care, with many parents forced to spend over half their income on this essential service,” said Pryor, co-author of the report. “Our findings demonstrate the need for policies that not only increase subsidized child care slots but also align with the unique preferences and challenges of families and their community.”
A Local Lens on a Statewide Crisis
While California’s mixed delivery system, administered by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), offers critical child care programs for low-income families, the gap between demand and availability is immense.
Statewide, only one in nine eligible children receive subsidized care. In Monterey County, where economic challenges are even more pronounced, this gap is wider with only one in every 12 children eligible for subsidized care actually enrolled.
Key local economic indicators include:
- 14% poverty rate in Monterey County, higher than the state average of 12%;
- Women spend 45% of their income on rent — the highest rate across all 58 California counties;
- Median household income of $88,035, compared to $95,521 statewide; and
- Only 29% of residents hold a Bachelor’s Degree or higher, compared to 38% across California.
Community-Driven Solutions
The report emphasizes the importance of incorporating community voices into policy decisions. Parents in Monterey County highlighted the need for child care that reflects their cultural values, offers flexible hours and aligns with their language preferences.
First 5 Monterey County, which prioritizes early childhood development and fosters strong community connections, has been instrumental in advocating for these family-centered approaches.
“It is essential that policies for children are driven by parents,” said Francine Rodd, executive director of First 5 Monterey County, which is dedicated to enriching the lives of children from prenatal through age 5 by fostering quality systems of care and advancing equity in early childhood development. “They are the experts in understanding what their families need to thrive.”
Recommendations for Decision-Makers
To bridge the gap in child care access and affordability, the report calls for:
- Increased Investment in Subsidized Child Care: Expand the number of spaces available to eligible families.
- Tailored Local Policies: Address unique regional needs, ensuring that care options reflect family preferences in language, hours, and cultural alignment.
- Enhanced Community Engagement: Incorporate parent insights into the design and implementation of child care programs.
By centering local contexts and family voices, policymakers can create a more equitable child care system that supports California’s most vulnerable families.
The California Budget & Policy Center is a nonpartisan research and analysis nonprofit advancing public policies that expand opportunities and promote well-being for all Californians. For more information, visit calbudgetcenter.org.
