News Update

Gov. Newsom signs bill improving access to child care for migrant workers

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation today improving access to child care for migrant farmworkers at a press conference held at an elementary school in Fresno.

Long a champion of early childhood education, Newsom also touted the transformative nature of the state’s new universal transitional kindergarten program, which will be fully rolled out by 2025, the state’s plan to seed college savings accounts of up to $1,500 for low-income students, English learners and foster and homeless youth and plans to reach out to dual language learners.

“In California, we are committed to transforming our public schools to promote equity, inclusivity and opportunity for every student,” Newsom said. “Building upon this year’s historic budget investments in universal pre-K and college savings accounts, these bills will improve access to a good education for children across California so that every child can thrive, regardless of their race, language spoken at home or zip code.”

SB 393, introduced by Sen. Melissa Hurtado, D-Sanger, aligns the Migrant Child Care Alternative Payment program with other voucher programs, a move which will streamline access to child care subsidies for migrant farmworkers. 

“Governor Newsom’s historic policies advancing early learning for our youngest Californians are a game changer,” said Patricia Lozano, executive director of Early Edge California. “They bring California closer than ever to providing equity for all in education.” 

Most of these programs represent an attempt to remedy the state’s ever-widening achievement gap, which has only grown during the pandemic as existing economic disparities deepen. 

“This is a determination to address not the achievement gap, but the real gap that persists, that’s the readiness gap,” Newsom said. “People are not left behind. They start behind.”