Alameda County supervisors unanimously approve Measure C five-year plan to expand early childhood services

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the Measure C five-year plan, a voter-approved program to expand early care and education across the county. The plan, presented by 1st 5 Alameda County, includes a Year 1 budget of $190 million and a five-year total budget of $931 million.

Kristen Spanos, CEO of 1st 5 Alameda County, told the board the plan was developed through an extensive public process and named 1st 5 as the public steward of the Measure C funds. "This measure was led by parents and childcare providers," Spanos said, and she described the plan as the result of community-led work to expand access and improve provider compensation.

Steve Spiker, chief impact officer at 1st 5, outlined the need: nearly 110,000 children under 6 live in Alameda County, child-care costs have risen sharply, and kindergarten-readiness gaps widened after COVID. "Nine out of 10 infants and nearly half of all preschool age children lack access to affordable quality early education and care," Spiker said during the presentation.

Nick Do, 1st 5's chief financial officer, provided the fiscal framework: Year 1 investments center on emergency grants to providers (an $82 million allocation), facility investments, vouchers and workforce supports. Over five years, the plan anticipates nearly $931 million in investments, with program contracts comprising the large majority of expenditures and administrative costs held below typical public-agency norms.

Ayano Ogawa, 1st 5's chief of programs, described the plan's early actions: emergency grants of $40,000 to $100,000 per site aimed to reach roughly 400 centers and more than 1,200 family child-care providers; subsidized vouchers for family, friend and neighbor caregivers; paid apprenticeships for about 300 educators; and a Year 2 wage floor proposal intended to bring early educators to at least $25 an hour.

The board heard more than three dozen public comments during a long public-comment period, overwhelmingly urging immediate approval. Childcare providers, parents and union leaders described operating pressures and teacher shortages. "Please approve the five-year plan now," said Amber Ackerman of Parent Voices Oakland. Dozens of other speakers likewise urged the board to avoid delays, saying the infrastructure and applications were ready to go.

Several supervisors praised the planning process and the long advocacy that led to Measure C. "This is a generational win," Supervisor Miley said, noting years of community organizing and the late Supervisor Wilma Chan's role in advancing the idea. Supervisor Fortunato Bass, who also serves on the 1st 5 commission, seconded the motion to approve.

The board's roll-call vote recorded five "Aye" votes; the motion carried unanimously. Following the vote, the board recessed for a brief press photo and a press conference.

What happens next: 1st 5 indicated its implementation systems are ready to begin outreach and an online application portal for Year 1 grants pending board approval. The plan assigns 1st 5 to administer Measure C funds, the Community Advisory Council to provide ongoing oversight, and the 1st 5 commission to approve annual expenditures and audits.

The approval directs 1st 5 to proceed with the budget and the grant distribution described in the five-year plan; specific contract awards, application portals and timetables are to be handled by 1st 5 in coordination with county staff and the Community Advisory Council.