Santa Barbara County is considering a pilot program to help provide preschool child care for county employees.
The county has long had issues with inadequate availability of affordable child care. A survey shows more than 19,000 children need child care in the county, but only about 10,000 slots are currently available.
A staff report says county employees with kids ranging in age from babies to five years old missed nearly four days of work in the last year due to child care issues, costing the county more than $350,000.
The proposed pilot program would work with First Five Santa Barbara County, and offer 100 $2,000 scholarships to the families of low, to moderate income county employees to help cover the cost of the care. County Supervisors will look at the plan tomorrow, with a final decision expected during the budget process.