ARTICLE V: CHILD CARE FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES

Sec. 20.53-100.	Findings.
Sec. 20.53-101.	Definitions.
Sec. 20.53-102.	Smart Start for San Francisco Kids.
Sec. 20.53-103.	Smart Start for San Francisco Kids Fund.
Sec. 20.53-104.	Promulgation of Regulations.
Sec. 20.53-105.	Evaluation.
Sec. 20.53-106.	General Welfare.
Sec. 20.53-107.	Severability.

 

Editor’s Note:
   This article, as adopted by the electorate on November 4, 2003, was designated Chapter 20, Article IV, Sections 20.100 through 20.107. Because that article and those section numbers were already occupied by other legislation, the editor has designated these provisions as Article III, Sections 20.53-100 through 20.53-107.

SEC. 20.53-100. FINDINGS.

   The people of the City and County of San Francisco hereby find and declare the following:

   (a)   California subsidizes early childhood education for children whose families earn up to 75 percent of the State Median Income, but state funding limitations allow only an estimated 50 to 60 percent of eligible San Francisco families actually to receive the subsidy; and

   (b)   Children who attend high quality early education programs demonstrate higher rates of high school graduation, higher incomes as adults, and lower rates of arrest, dropout, teen pregnancy, and welfare dependence; and

   (c)   Every $1 invested in high quality early childhood education saves approximately $7 later in remedial education, welfare, and incarceration; and

   (d)   California is moving toward providing universal preschool through the First Five California Commission, established by the cigarette tax approved by the electorate in 1998, and has made available $100 million to increase access to pre-school by funding demonstration projects, expanding the pre-school teacher workforce, and matching funds for counties that establish programs to raise levels of pre-school attendance; and

   (e)   An estimated 1,650 3 to 5 year old children in San Francisco are not receiving the state early education subsidies for which they are eligible, and these children of working parents need access to full-day, full-year care to help these families stay in San Francisco; and

   (f)   San Francisco has a strong, existing network of licensed early childhood education and family child care home providers to help young children become "school ready"; and

   (g)   San Francisco has an existing infrastructure through the Department of Children, Youth and Families and its subcontractors to administer subsidies through a voucher system for eligible families, so that expanding San Francisco children's access to early childhood education can be done without creating new rules and regulations for licensing and eligibility; and

   (h)   An expanded system of early childhood education in San Francisco could qualify for matching funds from the First Five California Commission; and

   (i)   Portable subsidies linked to the consumer rather than the agency allow parents to choose culturally, linguistically appropriate child care providers close to work or home; and

   (j)   Annual reports from administrators to the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor will provide program evaluation and accountability.

(Added by Proposition I, 11/4/2003)

SEC. 20.53-101. DEFINITIONS.

   For the purposes of this Article only, the following definitions shall apply to the terms used herein:

   (a)   "Licensed Early Care and Education" shall mean care and educational services provided to children prior to enrollment in kindergarten, including those provided by family child care providers, as determined by the Director of the lead agency.

   (b)   "Eligible Working Family" shall mean a family that meets all of the following eligibility criteria:

      1.   The family has at least one child between the ages of 3 and 5.

      2.   The family resides in the City and County of San Francisco.

      3.   The family's income is at 75% or below of the California median income.

      4.   The family applies for any state subsidy for which they are eligible but does not currently receive a subsidy from the State of California pursuant to Education Code Section 8263.1.

   (c)   "Ages 3 to 5" shall mean any child who is at least 3 years of age and determined to be too young for kindergarten as determined by the San Francisco Unified School District.

   (d)   "Subsidy" shall mean the difference between the actual cost of the service and the amount allowed for by the most current "Regional Market Rate Survey of California Child Care Providers." Families will pay a family fee based on the State family fee schedule.

(Added by Proposition I, 11/4/2003)