City Partnering with Local Non-Profit Agencies

The Goleta City Council has approved $250,000 in funding for several childcare initiatives to support local families and enhance community well-being at its December 3, 2024, meeting. The funding is a part of the City’s commitment to providing accessible and affordable childcare solutions to meet the needs of working families.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Each organization receiving funds is doing different things, but they all blend together and help each other. It’s an excellent distribution of funding.”

This funding was made possible through Measure B, the sales tax measure passed by Goleta voters to support essential community services, including childcare.

The City will be partnering with local nonprofit agencies the Santa Barbara Foundation, United Way of Santa Barbara County, Children’s Resource & Referral (CRR), and Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) on the childcare initiatives. The approved funding will go towards grants for childcare providers, employer-sponsored childcare start-up support, and scholarships for families and caregivers. Additionally, funding was allocated to a collaborative proposal between CRR and WEV to support the establishment of new Family Childcare Centers, with the goal of adding 96 new childcare spaces to the community. Family Childcare Centers are private homes where a small group of children are cared for by a licensed provider.

The City hopes the funding will help families in Goleta. The decision is part of the City’s broader five-year Economic Development Strategic Plan, which focuses on improving access to affordable childcare and housing solutions.

A recording of the December 3, 2024, City Council meeting is available to watch here. Read the staff report at https://tinyurl.com/3vvxrcmu.