Paving the Way for Long-Term Early Childhood Education Change: Guaranteed Income Pilot Program
Von Nailea Gaytan
The Isabella Project is thrilled for the launch of the Guaranteed Income Pilot Program, which will help support family child care providers in Santa Paula. With Child Development Resources of Ventura County, Inc. helping to lead the way, this program aims to uplift those who care for our youngest learners and to strengthen the workforce for a more resilient early childhood system. By providing direct financial support to eight child care providers, this program helps ensure that these essential caregivers can continue their work with stability, dignity and the resources they need to thrive.
This pilot program will provide monthly financial support to eight women caring for infants and toddlers in home-based settings, supporting women whose work is essential but often under-recognized. This program is more than just financial assistance for child care providers. It is about investing in the future of early education for the children in our Santa Paula community. With the Isabella Project’s focus on achieving highest-quality early childhood education (ECE) for children in Santa Paula, its equity-centered approach aligns perfectly with this program. The Guaranteed Income Pilot Program is building a foundation for lasting change, recognizing early child care providers as vital to a strong community.
“As a leader in early care and education programs in Ventura County, CDR, is excited to partner with the Ventura County Community Foundation and Rhode Futures Foundation to offer funding to support the Santa Paula community,” said Stuart Orlinsky, Program Operations Analysis Officer at CDR. “CDR will collaborate with family home child care providers through this pilot program, offering technical support to strengthen their businesses, expand infant and toddler capacity, and promote the well-being of both providers and families.”
In Santa Paula, the need for quality child care is urgent. In addition to creating more ECE spaces, there is a need for a larger workforce. Programs like this one help make it possible for care providers to make a living taking care of Santa Paula’s most precious community members.
The selected eight child care providers will also receive high-quality professional development and mentorship. This kind of wraparound support ensures providers not only stay in the field, but grow in it, further enhancing the quality of care for local families and paving the way for long-term ECE change in Santa Paula. By equipping providers with knowledge, confidence and financial support, the program strengthens the overall ECE system in Santa Paula and is a hopeful step forward. With ongoing investment and teamwork, we can build a child care system that’s supportive and ready to nurture the next generation of learners and educators.
We thank die Rhode Futures Foundation for generously funding the program.