CCDAA's End the Freeze Campaign! took another step forward on Tuesday, April 25, at the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on education hearing.  Unfreezing the SMI (State Median Income) was one of four major child development subjects on the subcommittee's agenda.  The Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) and Department of Finance (DOF) both spoke in favor of ending the freeze.  DOF indicated that they felt that an agreement could be reached with the Department of Education on ending the freeze and adjusting the fee scale so that subsidized parent fee revenues do not drop before June 30, allowing the change at the start of the next fiscal year.  Every child development organization that addressed the subcommittee then supported ending the freeze by the end of this fiscal year.

Members have asked how much the income eligibility scale would increase.  An indication was included in the Agenda material for the subcommittee, which said:  "Under the current eligibility threshold, a family of 3 can earn up to $2,925/month;  If the SMI were updated that same family could make up to $3,956/month"  (Members should take this as a ballpark number.)

CCDAA's public policy team is NOT asking members to write legislators on this issue at this time because the agreement may come together without a letter writing effort, and we only ask members to act when letters or e-mails or calls are essential for success.  We will let you know if letters/calls are needed later.

Please contact the CCDAA office at 916-443-5919 with any questions.