First 5 Orange County is excited to share the findings from the second phase of its groundbreaking Child Care Landscape Analysis, “Child Care and its Impact on Orange County’s Economy,” at the June 2, 2021, First 5 Orange County Children & Families Commission meeting.
Tiffany Alva and Rebecca Alvarez, who presented on Phase I, will be joined by Dr. Wallace Walrod to discuss the economic impacts of child care in Orange County, along with results from employer and parent surveys.
Also on the agenda are a public hearing on the FY 2021/22 proposed budget, and updates on First 5 Orange County’s Strategic Plan and equity work. The agenda is rounded out with authorization of agreements for funding of the HealthySteps program, Early Childhood OC, an Early Learning Liaison at Orange County Department of Education, and a fourth agreement to receive a mini grant for consultant support of the DULCE program.
“Child Care and its Impact on Orange County’s Economy” details how child care-related challenges exact a toll on Orange County companies and the overall economy, as well as a personal and financial toll on families, who far too often must make agonizing choices between continuing to work or abandoning their careers to care for their children — a problem exacerbated by the high cost of living in Orange County, and one that was thrust to the forefront during the pandemic.
The impact of the faulty child care system affects women of color the most:
- 17% of all women,
- 28% of Latina women, and
- 24% of Black women are involuntarily working part-time as of January 2021
The financial impact includes:
- $4.3 billion annually in lost productivity and wages
- $372 million annually in lost tax revenue
- Over 67,000 lost jobs annually due to disruptions or gaps in child care
For a complete list of agenda items, click here.
This meeting will be held via Zoom. Members of the public can listen to the live meeting by clicking here (password: 135863), or by calling the following numbers:
+1 669 900 9128
+1 253 215 8782
+1 346 248 7799
+1 646 558 8656
Webinar ID: 894 4161 4894; Passcode: 135863
Public Comments:
The Commission is accepting public comments to be submitted by emailing them to First5OC@cfcoc.ocgov.com. The comments will be distributed to all of the Commissioners and read into the record. If you wish to comment on a specific agenda item, please identify the item in your email. General public comments will be addressed during the general public comment item on the agenda. In order to ensure that staff has the ability to provide comments to the Commissioners in a timely manner, please submit your comments by 12 p.m. on June 1, 2021.
Any member of the public requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in this meeting should contact the Commission at least 48 hours prior to the meeting at First5OC@cfcoc.ocgov.com or (714) 834-2206.