Supervisors hear progress report on proposed Office of Early Childhood Education

Chair Carmen Chu and the Budget and Finance Subcommittee heard a briefing on plans to create an independent Office of Early Childhood Education that would centralize early care functions across multiple city departments.

Supervisor John Avalos, who introduced the hearing, said the effort has been underway for years and that the remaining central question is governance: how the new office would relate to the Human Services Agency, Department of Children, Youth and Their Families, Department of Public Health and the school district. Avalos asked for a report back on progress and said he would like the item returned to the five‑member committee the following week.

Hajime Mendoza of the mayor's office delivered the update. Mendoza said department leads agreed on a shared vision and seven draft policy statements focused on equity, workforce quality and system alignment. Mendoza described a 3–5 year workplan that centers on three operational priorities: access (subsidies, waiting lists, contracts), workforce (compensation, training, retention) and systems capacity (health services, early literacy, data and quality standards). Mendoza also said the teams are considering the governor's May revision and a possible $29,000,000 state funding shortfall as part of their planning.

Mendoza said the Human Services Agency is likely to provide back‑office support (human resources, budget administration) while the office itself remain independent. She said the mayor's budget will aim to include the office in the June 1 proposal and that department CFOs are coordinating potential budget transfers. Mendoza asked the committee for continued engagement on governance and staffing issues and said outreach to the school district and community stakeholders is underway.

Supervisor Kim and others raised fiscal and targeting questions, including how scarce funds will be prioritized for concentrated need groups such as English‑language learners, homeless families and children with special needs. The committee received public comment (no speakers registered) and accepted Supervisor Avalos's motion to return the item to the full five‑member budget committee for further consideration.

The committee did not take a final vote on establishing the office; members asked for a written update and another hearing with more detailed governance and staffing proposals.