We are excited to launch our Emergency Child Care Bridge Program Utilization Data & District Child Care Supply Maps webpage, now available on our website. This dashboard complements that operational work by examining how Bridge voucher utilization aligns with foster care populations, local R&R agency coverage, and the availability of licensed child care. Together, these views help policymakers, child welfare agencies, R&R programs, and other stakeholders better understand program reach, child care capacity, and opportunities to strengthen support for children and families served through Bridge. You can explore: ▪ Bridge Program enrollment by county within legislative districts ▪ Enrollment patterns through interactive maps and tables ▪ Local Resource & Referral agencies serving each district ▪ The distribution of licensed child care supply, including subsidized and unsubsidized providers Check it out here: tinyurl.com/3kr4xeua

Today is "UnRig California: The People's Purse" Day of Action and Rally in Sacramento. It is organized by major labor coalitions (like SEIU) to demand that large profitable corporations pay their fair share in taxes. Candy from our policy team is with FFN Provider Suzette from Antioch, who says, "Let’s hold California accountable for our children and pay providers their true cost of child care!!!"

Things are heating up! Keep your baby comfortable without overheating this summer:  Dress baby in clothes suitable for the temperature of the room.  Take off baby’s hat when inside.  Watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating or hot, red skin.  Learn more: go.nih.gov/xTzQFEh #SafeToSleep #BabySleep

Child Care Aware of America(CCAoA) is pleased to invite applications for the Family Advocacy Subgrant and Community of Practice. Through this project, selected partner organizations will build and support a ladder of engagement and advocacy for families in their communities to amplify family voices, while integrating Vroom as a tool for narrative change. For more information, visit: hs-3957809.f.hubspotemail.ne… To be considered, proposals must be completed in the “Fillable Proposal Application” and emailed to CCAoA at FamilyAdvocacyRFA@usa.childcareaware.org by 5:00PM ET on FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2026. Here is the application: hs-3957809.f.hubspotemail.ne…

Child Care Aware of America conducts an annual survey of Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) organizations and state agencies to collect information on child care supply and prices across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Here's this year’s report, Child Care in America: 2025 Price & Supply, linked here: info.childcareaware.org/pric… Our research team contributed to this report by supplying licensed child care supply and price estimates for California.

At the Bridge conference earlier this month, one of the keynote speakers was Katie Raher. Read about her experience: "I got to remind the beautiful humans at the conference that their own well-being is not selfish and doesn't have to be an afterthought. It is the heartbeat of their impact. Every time they regulate themselves, they co-regulate every person they interact with in their work. And then that person more positively impacts the next. And the next. Ripples that reach providers, children, and families in immeasurable ways. When the world feels heavy and uncertain (pretty much always these days sadly), I remind myself that there are people like this quietly doing the most important work there is. And I was pinching myself that I got to be even a small part of reminding them of their own power and value and leading them in the kind of nervous system nourishment we all need and they certainly deserve. I'm truly grateful for the California Child Care Resource and Referral Network creating this space and for centering the well-being of the workforce that makes everything else possible." Thank you, Katie, for your kind words and expertise that helped us all so much!

May is mental health awareness month. What can we do to help our littles with their mental health? 1. Help them recognize and name feelings 2. Help them learn how to relax during difficult moments and how to cope with difficult feelings 3. Teach them how thoughts lead to feelings and lead to behavior 4. Help them stay in the moment to improve self-awareness Read more here: childmind.org/resources/ment…

“While this budget does include some measures that will support our communities, such as increased disaster aid, it’s far from what child care providers and families need in California. This proposal ultimately backslides on key promises to increase subsidized child care spaces and pay providers based on enrollment. Child care providers cannot continue to operate on thin margins - we need to pay providers equitable wages, and we need to ensure that parents receive child care when they need it. We also need to create a well-funded infrastructure that supports both of them." - Kelly Graesch, Interim Executive Director rrnetwork.org/updates/respon…

Resource Hub For Subsidized Agencies Now Available!! We are so excited to announce that a new section for Subsidized agencies (R&R, APP, CWD and Tribal Agencies) has been added to the TrustLine website. trustline.org/subsidized-age… This resource is designed to help you find all the information you need in one place. In this section, you will find: • A complete program overview • Training videos • Essential forms • Information on timelines and delayed results • What happens when an applicant has a criminal history • And much more! The goal of this section is to provide more TrustLine information, support, and resources for subsidized agencies.

Alma and Nick, from the Network, attended the 4Cs of Alameda County Children's Fair this past Saturday. They shared information on TrustLine to help families learn about the background checks they can utilize when making child care decisions. It was a great event and well attended, with a lot of great resources provided to families.

Get ready to read! We have hand-picked dozens of fabulous books for young children to learn about social and cultural topics. Members of the Network and those providing care and education for children in CA receive FREE access to eceresourcesca.org (a subscription valued at $100 annually, provided by the CA Child Care R&R Network). Visit ECEresourcesCA.org or follow the link in our bio to register today! #ChildCareResources #EarlyChildhood #ECEProfessionals #CaliforniaChildCare #ECESharedResourcesCA

Today is Stand for Children Day, a national day of advocacy and commitment to children. It brings together families and advocates to demand better education, healthcare, and child care for all children, specifically supporting those with limited resources.

“This is the person who thinks child care providers have the most important job in the world.” Grace Hartman - Family Child Care Home Training Coordinator

“This is who was held, nurtured, and shaped by FFN care….To every home-based child care provider creating magic every day: thank you, from the bottom of my heart.” -Carolina Castillo Quintero, Manager, Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP)

“This is who values the child caregivers who helped to raise us. Every one of them is worthy of a living wage.” -Disa Lindgren and brother Alan, Technical Assistance & Support Coordinator, Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP) Happy Provider Appreciation Day!

Today was day one of the 6th Annual Bridge Conference, "Together We Heal." We started out our time hearing from Dr. Nicol Russell on "Holding Steady: Purpose, Presence & Power in Practice." We learned the value of finding what anchors us, our why, and how to navigate utilizing our inner compass to move through difficult moments. We also heard about the importance of finding inspiration and what ignites our joy to hold steady.

Today, we are boldly advocating for increased federal investments in child care! We join advocates from across the country to lift up one unified message: “Every family should be able to find and afford child care so they can work, support their families, and contribute to the economy. Federal investments are essential to make that possible,” … and we know that 'Investments in child care pay for itself.” - Dr. LaWanda Wesley (CCRC).

Today, we're highlighting MC3! Marin Child Care Council was founded in 1979. They offer a variety of services for parents, child care providers, and the community that are essential to the delivery of quality child care in Marin County. View their website to learn more about events and trainings: mc3web.org/trainings-events-…

**Exciting Funding Opportunity from the Dept. of Ed** Who is it for: County Offices of Education (COEs) What it provides funds for: The Tobacco-Use Prevention Education County Technical Assistance Funds provide funding to county offices of education to provide leadership, administrative oversight, training, and technical assistance (TA) to all local educational agencies (LEAs) in the county. Link to apply: cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/profile.asp…

Leadership in action. The R&R Network thanks leaders across the R&R field for gathering in Sacramento to help shape our future.