Childcare providers who have felt the dire impact of the Eaton Fire in Altadena are in dire need of additional state assistance, advocates claim. This demand comes as the initial 30-day emergency relief signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom has expired, leaving many still scrambling to rebuild their homes and businesses. The blaze notably ravaged nearly 200 childcare facilities in the area, putting about 1,500 children out of daily care, as reported by ABC7. The losses are staggering, including at least 24 family child care providers who have lost their homes and livelihoods, with 30 more suffering damage severe enough to prevent them from reopening, as per a statement obtained by CBS News Los Angeles.
During a recent press event, Child Care Providers United voiced their plea alongside local leaders to finally release additional support. The pressing need for help is compounded by frustrations from some childcare providers, including Felisa Wright, who was reportedly denied assistance by FEMA and SBA. “I received a denial based on I had renter's insurance," Wright told ABC7. "They asked if I could submit my summary of coverage and I did that. So, I'm just waiting to hear from them. (The Small Business Administration) denied me based on my incoming, saying that I didn't have enough income -- based on my IRS tax return -- to pay back the loan."
Child care providers, already grappling with an existing child care crisis, say without extended state aid, the situation will only worsen. Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, representing the affected areas, emphasized the significance of time in recovery efforts. "Thirty days simply isn't enough time for anyone to recover," Pérez stressed in a statement obtained by CBS News Los Angeles. The organization represents some 40,000 family childcare providers across California, who are feeling the brunt of these challenges.
The call for extended aid has become a rallying cry for those hit hardest by the fires. Max Arias of SEIU Local 99 emphasized the urgency, saying, “We're demanding and we're imploring that the state of California act with the same urgency that they had 30 days ago," according to an interview with ABC7. Arias continued, "We demand that aid to child care providers be extended indefinitely, so they can start the process of recovery and rebuilding now." With state legislators expected to address the media concerning relief efforts, many are waiting to see if their calls for help will catalyze the necessary action.
