In order to help employees with the rising cost of child care, the City of San Diego is looking to expand its successful Municipal Child Care Benefit Pilot Program, which is now in its second year and accepting applications. Through the program, managed by the City’s Office of Child and Youth Success, City employees can apply to receive reimbursement for child care costs.

During the first year of the program, 230 City employees applied for assistance and 173 employees were initially selected to participate based on their eligibility. Funding for the program is made possible through a $2 million federal grant secured by Rep. Sara Jacobs.

“Having received 230 applications in the first year, we are excited about the continued success of this child care pilot program,” said Andrea O’Hara. Executive Director of the Office of Child and Youth Success. “Even more encouraging is the overwhelmingly positive responses we have received from program participants.”

Employees who received benefit payments last year must submit a new application for year two of the program. In order to be eligible, employees must have an annual household gross income less than 200% of the state median income, based on family size per year and be a permanent City of San Diego employee, working full- or part-time.

Benefit payments may range between $200 to $1,200 per dependent, based on family need ranked by household income. Children must be 12 years or younger. Monthly payments are made directly to the employee’s child care provider and will be available starting Oct. 1, 2024.

Employees who participated in the first year of the program shared their appreciation with the Office of Child and Youth Success. Here is what some of them are saying:

“This is seriously an amazing program. I’m so grateful to the City for providing this program and prioritizing young families like mine,” said a program participant. “These types of programs make me appreciate working for the City and also will help with employee retention. Thank you.”

“This has really helped me so much. Being a single mom and working along with finishing my BA at SDSU, having the babysitter I can afford with the help of this grant has eased my heart and mind while at work/school,” said another program participant. “It provided me with the professional person who is amazing with the kids. Thank you and I really hope this platform is still being provided in the future.”

“This program has been amazing. I feel incredibly lucky to have been selected to participate. As a single mother, half the battle is finding someone to watch my child while I work,” said another program participant. “Having the inconsistencies before would heavily impact my work, sometimes having to call off or come in late. Having reliable childcare has taken a HUGE load off my back. I don’t have to worry and can focus at work knowing my child is taken care of.”

To learn more about the Office of Child and Youth Success, visit the City’s webpage.