The Goleta City Council this week approved $250,000 in funding for several childcare initiatives to support local families and enhance community well-being.

The funding is a part of Goleta’s work to providing accessible and affordable childcare solutions to meet the needs of working families.

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

The 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 toward 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 Goleta’s broader five-year Economic Development Strategic Plan, which focuses on improving access to affordable childcare and housing solutions.

To read the staff report, visit https://tinyurl.com/3vvxrcmu.