Child care providers affected by Eaton Fire in Altadena call for additional relief from state officials
Child care providers who were affected by the Eaton Fire in Altadena are calling for extended fire relief and support from state officials.
Several child care providers with Child Care Providers United and other local leaders held a news conference on Friday morning.
"At least 24 family child care providers lost their homes and their livelihoods and at least 30 more sustained damage severe enough that they have not been able to reopen due to the Eaton and Palisades fires," a statement from Child Care Providers United said.
The organization includes 40,000 family child care providers across the state. It is a partnership of SEIU Local 99, SEIU Local 521 and UDW/AFSCME Local 3930.
The news conference took place the day after 30-day emergency relief for child care providers ended. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that gave providers an additional 30 days of pay after the start of the fires. The group said state officials have not indicated if there are plans to extend the relief.
"Thirty days simply isn't enough time for anyone to recover," said Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, who represents the Pasadena and Altadena areas. "We are still navigating this disaster."
Felisa Wright, a child care provider in Altadena that lost her home, and her business shared her story of struggle. Wright said her entire family including her three adult daughters and six grandchildren have been displaced since the Eaton Fire erupted on Jan. 7.
"Our recovery efforts must prioritize assisting child care providers in regaining stability, such as securing affordable housing to reopen our daycares," Wright said.
The group said without the additional relief, the state's child care crisis would only be intensified.
Aside from the lack of pay, they listed several other barriers which are preventing some providers from reopening including denial from FEMA and SBA for additional help and lack of affordable or accessible spaces to rent.
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