Solano County proclaims May 8 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day, speakers urge living wages

The Solano County Board of Supervisors on May 5 adopted a resolution recognizing May 8, 2026, as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day in Solano County.

Alicia Gutierrez, health education specialist with 1st 5 Solano, presented the resolution and introduced speakers who described workforce pressures and the need for sustained investment. Kathy Lago, executive director of Solano Family and Children Services, said the county helped create hundreds of new childcare spaces last year and supported dozens of providers to become licensed. "We pay out millions of dollars every year for subsidized childcare," she said, noting that licensed family childcare adds long-hours neighborhood options for working parents.

Tony Ayala, chair of the Local Child Care Planning Council and a faculty member at Solano Community College, pointed to actions in neighboring counties that used local tax measures to supplement wages and reimbursements and urged the board to explore similar solutions in Solano. He said childcare providers are "the glue holding our communities together" and described momentum to pursue local funding.

Ebony Brown, an owner-operator of a family childcare business, described providers as small-business owners and professional educators who need recognition and fair compensation. Speakers framed living wages and targeted local funds as ways to retain providers, expand capacity and support working families.

The clerk recorded the vote on the resolution as ordered (vote announced early in the meeting). The resolution is primarily ceremonial but speakers asked the board to consider follow-up policy or funding steps.