September 10, 2024
Menlo Park City Council
701 Laurel Street
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Dear Mayor Taylor and Honorable Members of the Menlo Park City Council,
I am writing to submit my written comment on Item G on the agenda for tonight’s City Council Meeting. I would like to express my sincere thanks for your commitment to Menlo Park’s children and families. While I understand no action is being taken tonight, I want to emphasize that your ongoing support of child care, including the Menlo Children’s Center and Belle Haven Child Development Center, is crucial. These centers are not only lifelines for many but are also critical to Menlo Park’s economic prosperity.
The recent challenges faced by the child care sector, including the introduction of Transitional Kindergarten and the post-COVID landscape, have made this a particularly difficult time for providers and families alike. While we understand there are fluctuations in enrollment, its important to remember the significant and persistent shortage of approximately 17,000 slots in San Mateo County, including nearly 2,500 in Menlo Park. The city’s child care infrastructure plays a key role in workforce participation, employee retention, and local economic stability. Child care is not just a service but a critical piece of community infrastructure, helping to reduce traffic congestion, improve work-life balance, and boost productivity. Research shows that for every dollar California invests in child care, $1.88 is generated in economic activity. A lack of child care access, conversely, costs California businesses approximately $638 million annually due to employee absences resulting from breakdowns in child care arrangements.
I thank the council for their thoughtful approach as you evaluate child care in Menlo Park. It’s essential to fully understand the reasons behind enrollment changes and how best to meet the evolving needs of families before making any changes or major decisions. Child care infrastructure is much easier to dismantle than rebuild, and a cautious approach now will better serve the community in the long run. I applaud the councils selection of Erik Burmeister and his team at Solutionary Advisors in their work to understand these challenges and propose creative, data-driven solutions. His expertise will be invaluable in navigating this complex issue. Additionally, in a few weeks, the Commission for the Status of Women for San Mateo County will present its final report to the Board of Supervisors on October 8th, which will include recommendations based on several years of research into the well-being of women, with a strong emphasis on child care and caregiving. We believe the data and recommendations may be of useful in your research and evaluation of child care in Menlo Park.
As U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently highlighted in his advisory, “The well-being of parents and caregivers is directly linked to the well-being of their children.” He also emphasizes that investing in child care not only supports the health and development of children but also strengthens families and communities. In today’s fast-paced world, the work of parenting has become more demanding than ever, and the challenges faced by families directly impact the future of our communities. By ensuring access to quality child care, we are investing in the long-term health and prosperity of Menlo Park.
Thank you again for your leadership and continued support of Menlo Park’s families.
With appreciation,
Dayna Chung
Resident of Menlo Park
Member, Commission for the Status of Women, San Mateo County
Executive Director, Community Equity Collaborative
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Dayna Chung (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Community Equity Collaborative
Co-Founder & Executive Director
www.communityequitycollaborative.org
*What are pronouns and why are they in my email signature? More information.
