COVID-19 RESPONSE

Year in Review

Within a week of the first shelter in place, Marin Child Care Council (MC3) assessed our client’s and communities’ needs, shifted and utilized funding, where appropriate, to meet those needs. By being immediately responsive, we were able to support our enrolled families and the child care community.

The following information highlights the work of MC3 over the past year. We are very proud of what we have accomplished as an agency and would like to thank our many community partners for their support:

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• Marin Community Foundation (MCF)

• County of Marin

• Marin County Public Health

• First 5 Marin

• Marin County Office of Education (MCOE)

• Our Board of Directors

In addition, we want to recognize the incredible work of our child care community,

who are our heroes!

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Marin Child Care Council: Countywide Coordination

• Supported planning for pop up child care for essential workers, MCOE/First5 Marin/Community Action Marin/North Bay Children’s Centers/North Marin Community Services/ YMCA/City of San Rafael.

• Worked with Marin County Office of Emergency Services, first 5 California, CA Department of Social Services and First 5 Marin to procure PPE and other supplies for child care programs.

• Reallocated funding from several grants to support additional supplies and materials for child care programs and families served.

• Advocated for funding to support child care programs, resulting in donation from Marin Community Foundation of $1 million and $50,000 from First 5 Marin.

• Provided TA and support during MCOE calls for the Early Childhood Education (ECE) field.

• Advocated on local and state levels for more funding and no cuts during state budget processes.

• Worked with Marin County Public Health Department to support child care programs and share info to programs regularly.

• Worked with Public Health to open vaccines for 1 week window for child care staff.

Marin Child Care Council: Parent Support

• Responded to over 700 calls from parents looking for child care and resulting in referrals.

• Contacted all clients (over 400) immediately to see what support they needed. Connected monthly to ensure they had support and resources. Text support group was set up for parents.

• Distributed activity kits and tablets to parents to support them with their children at home.

• Connected with SF-Marin Food bank and set up a weekly drive-through food pantry for 8 weeks at our location: over 800 boxes of food served.

• Held (hold) monthly parent education/engagement classes through zoom.

• Enrolled 42 parents in emergency child care funding.

• Provided all families in our program with a gift card for groceries.

• Distributed food boxes and gift cards to 42 Parent voices families. (funds reallocated from grants)

• Hosted a Halloween drive through “trunk-or-treat”; over 150 families attended.

• Conducted a Christmas Holiday toy drive; over 50 families received toys, thanks to MCOE and Redeemer Preschool.

• Released and assisted parents to access codes for $500 from FII through MCF COVID-19 Relief Fund; 370 codes were given out.

• Helped several parents to file for unemployment and other public benefits. Gave and connected parents with community resources mainly with rent, utilities, and food assistance.

Marin Child Care Council: Child Care Provider Support

• Technical assistance support for the ECE community. We received thousands of call/emails/texts from providers seeking advice and support.

• Provided 34 Zoom trainings for child care community with over 2000 participants (info on reopening/social emotional wellbeing of providers and children/public health and licensing updates/nutrition)

• Held drive through supply pickups: 11 separate pickups: 592 providers received, cleaning supplies/hand sanitizer/touchless thermometers/diapers/gloves/wipes/air purifiers.

• Helped 171 providers with their reopening with funds for cleaning supplies.

• Completed weekly updated data on all child care programs in the County to track slot availability/needs and openings.

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Financial Impacts:

$274,236 in emergency vouchers for child care for essential workers

$335,952 in stipends, gift cards for groceries, cleaning supplies.

$90,722 distributed to programs for PPE equipment and supplies.

$72, 982 distributed to providers for outdoor/playground updates.

Distributed $210,000 in stipends to state funded child care programs.

Distributed $1,050,000 in stipends to family child care providers and child care centers

a total of 185 programs.

THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS