Hannah Melnick — Identified herself as being with the Learning Policy Institute and began discussing staffing and facilities concerns.
George Harris — Department of Finance witness who presented the governor's TK budget overview.
George Harris — Explained that the Department of Finance uses internal demographic projections to estimate TK enrollment and projected about 264,000 students for 2025-26 with a 63% uptake rate.
George Harris — Department of Finance representative providing an overview of the California State Preschool Program.
George Harris — George Harris of the Department of Finance responded to a question about higher funding levels by explaining that the department will look for any identified savings in Proposition 98 and non-Proposition 98 preschool funding, consistent with prior budget years.
George Harris — Department of Finance representative providing brief comments on QRIS funding.
Ms. Melnick — Referenced as having presented earlier on the same topic.
Ms. Melnick — Referenced as having previously explained reasons for uncertainty in TK enrollment projections.
Ms. Melnick — Praised for a report that matches school district experiences.
George Harris, Department of Finance — Identified as the Department of Finance representative being asked for expected TK enrollment numbers.
Dr. Patel — Introduced as the next speaker and comments on UTK implementation experience.
Dr. Patel — Was thanked by the speaker after raising concerns about facilities, staffing, and compensation.
Terry Rivers — Child care provider in Long Beach who testified in favor of a rate methodology reflecting the actual cost of care.
Racine Reese — Licensed family child care provider from Victorville and member of Child Care Providers United.
Amisha Griffin — Licensed provider and CCPU member who testified about health care and retirement issues.
Tanika Benahini — Child care owner from Sacramento County who testified in favor of delinking subsidy rates from private pay.
Unidentified child care provider — The child care provider urged the Legislature to delink subsidy reimbursement rates from private-pay rates. They explained that delinking would allow providers to receive the full subsidy pay rate instead of only a portion, and would reduce pressure to raise private-pay rates for families who already cannot afford child care. The witness concluded by asking lawmakers to remove the statutes that require the subsidy-private pay link.
Diad Yuzon — Diad Yuzon, a 10-year child care provider from Orange County and CCPU member, testified that legislators should not forget parents and providers. She emphasized that family daycare supports working parents and that providers are partners in that effort. She then explained that family child care providers cover much of the non-traditional, night, and weekend care families need, but current reimbursement rates are inadequate and do not cover the costs required to keep providers’ doors open.
Frisha Moore — Frisha Moore, owner of two preschool centers, testified on behalf of center owners that TK is harming center-based programs, citing high operating costs and closures across the state. She argued that centers already have available classrooms and teachers and urged lawmakers to support a mixed delivery system.
Gabriella Batjato Rivera — Gabriella Batjato Rivera, speaking for Congot Child Care Center and Every Child California, presented three related requests for child care funding reform: first, rate reform so providers are reimbursed at 100% of the true cost of care; second, contract earnings based on enrollment rather than attendance; and third, release of promised child care slots.
Annie Patswold — Annie Patswold of Educational Enrichment Systems introduced herself and noted the organization serves over 1,100 students in San Diego. She then asked the committee to include a bridge year and allow the organization to remain held harmless during the upcoming budget year as it transitions to a true cost of care methodology.
Sarah Zalazar — Sarah Zalazar of Educational Enrichment Systems, a nonprofit child care agency in San Diego, asked the committee to provide a bridge year and one additional held-harmless year so providers could transition smoothly to an alternative methodology.
Alice Tong — Alice Tong, a child care center provider and member of the California Child Care Center Alliance, testified on behalf of child care centers and argued that free TK is hurting private-based programs. She said child care centers already provide eight- to nine-hour full-day care and have the space to serve children, so the policy is undermining existing private programs.
unknown child care provider / center representative — Argued that families need more child care options, including play-based and full-day care, and urged opening up funding.
Julia Fruden — Julia Fruden, a senior policy analyst at the Child Care Law Center and parent of a one-year-old, testified in support of paying child care providers fairly based on the true cost of care and recognizing their expertise and experience. She cited New Mexico as an example of increasing provider pay, supported the subcommittee’s transition plan, urged removal of the regional market rate in favor of the alternative methodology in statute, and endorsed enrollment-based, prospective payment along with more options for families.
Elia Fernandez — Testified on behalf of Parent Voices that child care and preschool are important for working families and children with special needs.
Lourdes-A-Larkon — Lourdes-A-Larkon testified as a parent, educator, and child care provider, explaining that she is the head of her household and needs financial and health care support. She urged fair pay for child care providers and emphasized the importance of helping families cover expenses.
John Skolnick — John Skolnick, CEO of Family and Child Empowerment Services, spoke on behalf of the families they serve and warned that ending hold harmless before a new rate structure is in place would force serious cuts to services for vulnerable children and families. He argued that post-pandemic attendance-based thinking no longer makes sense, noting that programs have year-round enrollment and fixed staffing costs that do not fluctuate simply with attendance.
Carla Guerra — Carla Guerra introduced herself as an advocate and senior manager at the Unity Council, which operates Head Start and early childhood education programs, and then testified in support of releasing additional CCTR funds, maintaining hold harmless, and advancing the rate reform transition plan and cost-based model.
April Leung — April Leung, speaking with Parent Voice of San Francisco, testified about how her daughter’s limited part-time preschool hours created emotional and practical hardship, including difficulty building relationships with teachers. She explained that later access to full-time care helped her return to school and earn her degree.
Salam J. Sir — Parent of two children representing Parent Voices in San Francisco; said they have worked as a caregiver for over 10 years and support child care access.
Maria Lustore — Organizer of Parent Voices, San Francisco; described her own child care experiences and argued for access for all children.
Christon Malhotra — Department of Finance representative who introduced remarks on the fiscal questions in the agenda item.
Dillon Ox — LAO representative who recommended reducing state preschool funding to align with contracted costs.
Jackie Barroso — Department of Social Services representative responding to questions about the alternative methodology timeline and public vetting.
Chris Mahhotra — Said the Department of Finance has no information to share yet and is awaiting the May Revision for a clearer fiscal picture.
Stephen Profit — Identified himself as director of the Early Education Division at CDE and spoke on behalf of State Superintendent Tony Thurmond.
Chris Amelred — Department of Finance representative says there is nothing further to add.
Dillon-Doxifledso — LAO representative says there are no comments or concerns at this time.
Krishan Malhotra — Department of Finance representative begins presentation on the Governor’s proposed 2025-26 budget.
Virginia Early — Early Education Division representative at CDE speaking on rates and collaboration with DSS.
Virginia Early — Identified as being present to answer questions.
Sadabachis — Identified as Director of Education Policy and Advocacy with Children Now; begins testimony.
Dr. Sean Reardon — Cited for research showing that achievement gaps are already present when children enter school.
Nina Boothie — Introduced herself as the executive director of Every Child, California.
Corey Jackson — Addressed as chair of the committee.
Corey Jackson — Praised for reducing family fees.
Corey Jackson — The speaker thanked Chair Jackson for the opportunity to testify.
Corey Jackson — Addressed as 'Dr. Jackson' and praised for wanting to get things done; likely a member or panelist, but exact identity is uncertain from transcript alone.
Al Muratsuchi — The speaker thanked Chair Alvarez for the opportunity to testify.