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County unveils San Mateo County Child Care Blueprint and Action Plan progress
Summary
County staff and the Commission on the Status of Women presented updates on the Action Plan for Women and Children and a comprehensive Child Care Blueprint, outlining goals to expand infant/toddler capacity, strengthen the workforce and establish a centralized childcare portal; the blueprint will move to fiscal mapping and implementation workgroups this fall.
County officials presented a progress update on the Action Plan for Women and Children and a detailed San Mateo County Child Care Blueprint Aug. 26.
Linda Wolin, Executive Policy and Program Manager in the County Executive's Office, reviewed actions in four priority areas — income mobility, childcare access, domestic violence prevention, and reproductive health services — and highlighted Measure K investments including more than $3 million toward an early childhood educator development program. "Per board adoption of the California equal pay pledge in March 2024, the county's pay gap now stands at 4.8% across all job classifications," Wolin reported when reviewing internal equity steps.
Andrea Jones, the project manager for the Child Care Blueprint, summarized a process that has engaged more than 30 partner organizations and 250 community participants since May. The blueprint identifies about 7,500 missing school‑age slots and a severe shortage of infant/toddler care; Jones said the blueprint's vision is "Every child in San Mateo County from birth to age 12 has equitable access to high quality care supported by a well compensated diverse workforce and safe climate resilient facilities." Next steps include fiscal mapping and cost modeling on Sept. 8, implementation work groups through October, and a broader community forum in November. Calibrated short‑term work will prioritize access and simplified enrollment options while longer‑term strategies target facility expansion and workforce pipelines.
Stakeholders from Build Up San Mateo County, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, 4 C's and Peninsula Family Service told the board the blueprint provides a measurable road map and urged continued Measure K and county support, warning that without additional funding middle‑income families remain shut out of subsidies and providers continue to leave the field.
