The County routinely receives funds from the California Department of Education (CDE) and California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to provide childcare and development services for infant/toddler and preschool children. The County receives the money via the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD). EHSD contracts with seven child care partner agencies to provide direct childcare and development services for infant/toddler and preschool children.
  On July 15, 2021, Assembly Bill 131 (Chapter 116, Statutes of 2021) was passed and signed by Governor Newsom on July 23, 2021. Section 263(b)(1) of that bill states that CDE and CDSS are to provide a flat-rate one-time stipend amount of $600 per child enrolled in state subsidized child care or state preschool program funded through CDE or CDSS. Funds may be used for any allowable expense that would be reimbursable under any existing child development contract to address COVID-19 related costs or to ensure programs are able to remain open or reopen. Use of these funds are subject to audit and will be appropriately tracked by EHSD. Stipend allocation will be distributed to EHSD as a direct payment outside of the child development contract and will not be subject to applicable reporting requirements.

On October 20, 2021, directives from CDSS Child Care Bulletin 21-12 states, “whereas applicable, Contractors [EHSD] must make every effort to distribute stipend payments to child care providers no more than thirty (30) calendar days after the check is received by the contactor.” EHSD received the stipend funds on October 18, 2021. EHSD requests the Board of Supervisors authorize the Auditor-Controller to issue a one-time payment to the following child care partner agencies for services rendered in March 2021: