Child care is a multifaceted issue that impacts every child, parent, provider and community differently. The only real way to bring upon positive change is to gather diverse voices and bring them to the table. Last week, we had the opportunity to do just that.

Asm. Christopher Ward, of CA’s 78th District, joined Children First Collective and a host of child care organizations, advocates and providers, for a roundtable discussion on the state of child care – what’s working, where are the opportunities, where more support is needed and what lies ahead for 2026.

“We were trying to hold things together in some very difficult budget years where we were seeing $20 billion, $30 billion of deficit to close without trying to cut corners with special programs that are critical to our community and those who are most vulnerable.” – Asm.Ward

In this last year, child care has faced many different funding obstacles that had the potential to break the system as we know it; from record long government shutdowns, uphill budget cut battles and most recently, a proposed $10 billion cuts in federal funding for child care.

While the federal funding freeze was blocked, providers, advocates and families move cautiously ahead.

“…based on ongoing projections about how things are looking and where those sources of state funds come from, it’s not as dire as they were telling us last November. Now is the time to start organizing.“ – Asm. Ward

As the discussion concluded and all questions, concerns and ideas were laid on the table, everyone left with a renewed sense of urgency and solidarity. There was a shared hope that, together, we can move these conversations into the actions our communities need.

“We’re finally making sure that the people who are doing the work are writing the rules.” – Asm.Ward