Shandis Orum — Identified as a remote witness from the California Department of Social Services.
Stephen Profeter — Stephen Profeter is introduced as a remote witness from the California Department of Education and then identifies himself as the Director of the Early Education Division at the department.
Sheneath Oram — Introduces herself as assistant deputy director for the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division.
Dr. Lufei Hine — Named as a colleague accompanying the speaker.
Dr. Lufei Hine — Named as available to answer questions.
Mike, Deputy Director of the Child Care Development Division — Named as a colleague accompanying the speaker.
Virginia Early — Identified as Policy Office Administrator and available to answer questions.
Christina Alvarado — Executive Director of the Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles; begins testimony about wildfire impacts and response.
Cindy Esquivel — Introduced herself as Program Manager for the Western Region for Child Care and Development Infrastructure Grant Programs and L.A. Rise at Low Income Investment Fund, and described the infrastructure grant program and disaster response needs.
Frances Goonwarden — The chair attempts to introduce the next witness, though the name appears uncertain and likely mis-transcribed.
Francisco Gunnaradena — Francisco Gunnaradena introduced himself as a family child care provider with 23 years of experience in Pasadena and Altadena, then continued his personal background by explaining that he immigrated in 1999, raised four sons on his own, and worked hard toward building a stable life and homeownership in Pasadena or Altadena.
Unnamed child care provider from Altadena/Pasadena — The witness described how she started her family child care business because she could not find safe care for her own child, then spent years renting different locations and dealing with citations before saving COVID-era loan funds to buy the property she had been leasing. She explained that after receiving a 60-day notice, she tried to purchase the site and later faced major setbacks when the Eaton fire destroyed her home and child care business. She said the loss left her without income, created severe financial and emotional stress, and forced her to deal with housing instability while rebuilding her home and navigating permits, licensing, and a possible transition to a center setting. She also noted she has received little support, misses the children and families she served, and is trying to figure out how to reopen and bring families back.
Unidentified woman child care provider — Described paying mortgage, rent, and other bills without income and said the hardship affects all providers.
Miran Allegory (questionable spelling) — The chair appears to introduce the next witness, likely 'Miran Allegory,' though the name is uncertain.
Miran Al Goree — Miran Al Goree introduced herself as a family child care provider in San Diego County and a member of AFSCME, UDW Local 3930, and Child Care Providers United (CCPU). She then described how a devastating rainstorm on January 22, 2024 affected her city and the 14 families she cares for, connecting her personal role to the storm’s impact on the families she serves.
Ms. Cindy — Referenced as having spoken earlier about similar losses.
Ed Rodriguez — Named as one of the child care providers whose home was flooded.
Saira Medina — Named as one of the child care providers whose home was flooded.
Francis Rodriguez — Francis Rodriguez is mentioned as one of several child care providers whose home was flooded, with the discussion also noting that flood damage affected child care materials and related household impacts.
Dr. Lupe Hyman Milam — Dr. Lupe Hyman Milam identifies herself as deputy director of the Child Parent Development Division and expresses sympathy for the panelists' testimony.
Maria Isabel Mejibah — Maria Isabel Mejibah, a long-time child care provider in Santa Rosa, describes how she built her work through licensing, an internship, and child development study. She then explains the severe impact of the October 2017 fire: it was traumatic, forced her business to close for nearly a month, caused loss of income, disrupted families, created traffic and communication problems, and left her without direct county emergency guidance. She says smoke and fire effects continued to harm the broader city and county, with adults and children still experiencing respiratory problems, and she lost three families because of the disaster. She closes by urging that child care providers and families have a dedicated support group during and after disasters, while also thanking emergency responders for their efforts and sacrifice.
Lisa Davis — Lisa Davis of the Children's Partnership is introduced as a panelist and then begins her testimony, identifying herself as the advocacy director on children and immigrant families at the Children's Partnership and opening remarks on immigration enforcement and child care systems.
Lisa Davis — The committee member directs a question to Lisa Davis about how immigration enforcement affects trust between providers and immigrant families.
Nina Boothie — Nina Boothie of Every Child California is introduced as a panelist.
Jeanette Zanpatten — Jeanette Zanpatten from Cherla is introduced as a panelist.
Elida — A child care provider in Central California who said fear has changed how she works and that losing families would be financially devastating.
Children's Partnership — Cited as urging legislative action based on research and consultation with families and partners.
Nina Boothy — Nina Boothy, executive director of Every Child California, introduced herself and described the organization as a statewide community of more than 2,500 early learning leaders, providers, and advocates committed to ensuring every child has access to safe, high-quality, equitable care.
AB495 — AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, is discussed as a bill that prohibits collection of immigration status and establishes parent-designated emergency plans. Speakers note that it does not take effect until July 1, 2026, and that it passed without an appropriation. The discussion then shifts to implementation concerns, emphasizing the need for comprehensive training and funding, with multiple speakers praising the bill’s framework but stressing that it cannot be effectively carried out without financial support.
AB495 — AB 495 is discussed as one of the new laws child care providers need training on, with CHIRLA noted as a sponsor. It is then referenced again in the context of bills that will need implementation support, including funding and training as they take effect.
AB49 — AB 49, the California State Safe Home School and Child Care Act, is discussed as a safe-haven model policy for licensed child care and state preschool programs. The bill is described as an urgency measure that is still being implemented, with a need for comprehensive implementation training. Speakers also note that AB 49 provides an important framework, but that the framework cannot be fully delivered without funding.
AB49 — AB 49 is discussed as one of the new laws child care providers need training on, with CHIRLA noted as the sponsor. The discussion continues by noting that as AB 49 and related bills are implemented, funding and training will be needed to support compliance.
AB49 — The witness says families should understand the protections child care facilities and providers can extend through AB 49.
Michelle Rodriguez — Referenced as having authored AB 495.
Jeanette Teneipatine — Jeanette Teneipatine, Director of Policy and Advocacy at CHIRLA, is introduced and then begins her testimony by identifying her role and indicating she will provide an overview of the Los Angeles raids.
CHIRLA — Identified as one of the co-counsel and co-plaintiffs in the L.A. raids case against the federal government.
CHIRLA — Speaker says CHIRLA has worked with families of U.S. citizens who were picked up and helped locate them.
Leticia Castillo — The speaker says they will make an appointment with Assembly Member Curry to discuss implementation funding and training.
Jeanette — The committee member turns to Jeanette with a question about state-level protections for undocumented and mixed-status families.
AB85 — The witness says families should understand the protections child care facilities and providers can extend through AB 85.
Nino — Asked to provide input on the questions and policy recommendations discussed so far.
Paloma Corona — Introduced herself as a family child care provider from the Los Angeles area and began public comment on immigration enforcement impacts.
Sulma Tenorio — Sulma Tenorio introduces herself as a child care provider in Canton and a member of CCBU Local 99. The transcript is somewhat garbled and includes repeated self-identification, but the overall point is her introduction and professional affiliation.
Anna Valentino — Anna Valentino testified as a child care provider and CCPU Local 99 member, describing child care as a trusted community space for immigrant families. She urged strong statewide protections so child care remains safe, secure, and stable for all children regardless of birthplace or family background. She also explained how fear and family instability are affecting providers and children, including an example of a child carrying two backpacks because of uncertainty at home, and emphasized that providers are helping parents keep their children with them. A later reference summarized her and others’ descriptions of the daily challenges families and providers are facing.
Soila Carolina Toma — Soila Carolina Toma introduced herself as a family child care educator from Lakewood with 15 years of experience and said she could speak from personal experience on the issues under discussion. She shared that she has childhood trauma from being separated from her parents due to poverty, and explained that current immigration enforcement is reawakening those memories. She said she wants to be a voice for immigrants who are afraid to speak because of ICE, noted how long it took her and others to become citizens, and described the peace of mind she had when she had a work permit and could work legally and pay taxes. She contrasted that with the current situation, where people trying to regularize their status are being detained and losing protections, and thanked the committee for its difficult work. She then criticized Republicans for targeting democracy, immigrants, and the legal system, argued that children and education are often the first to be harmed by funding cuts, and said people are often forced to plead and expose their vulnerability to be heard. She concluded by saying she is not asking for pity or handouts, but for humanity, understanding, and support, and emphasized that child care providers are a support system for immigrant families whose trust has been shaken.
Sola — Referenced as having said there are no rules anymore.
Nina — Referenced as having mentioned the state webinar.
Alita — Referenced as an example of a family member doing essential errands and transportation.
Kelly Reynolds — Kelly Reynolds of Unite LA testified that child care is not only a family issue but a major business and workforce issue. She introduced herself and shared her personal connection as a Pasadena parent near the burn scar, then explained that child care disruptions drive employee absences, quits, reduced workforce participation, and disproportionate impacts on women. She cited statistics showing large economic losses in work hours and wages, argued that subsidies help low-income families stay employed, and noted that many affected industries require nontraditional hours and transportation support. Reynolds also referenced a Unite LA and Beacon Economics report showing that higher provider wages would generate substantial economic output and jobs, and concluded by urging greater investment in early care and education, including higher wages, transportation support, nontraditional-hour care, and dedicated revenue streams.
Sylvia Hernandez — Named as a third-panel witness from Blossom to Success Child Care.