Agenda Item # 3.2 - Matt Tinsley | Received 05/11/2023CAUTION: This email originated from an External Source. Please use proper judgment and caution when opening
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From:Matthew Tinsley
To:City Clerk
Subject:EXTERNAL - Written comments on matters not on the agenda
Date:Thursday, May 11, 2023 8:51:45 AM
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Gilroy FCCH letter MRT 05112023.docx
Family Child Care GILROY.pdf
Dear City Clerk
Please find attached a letter to the Mayor and Council and an informational flier on family
childcare homes in the City of Gilroy. Please include these as supplemental meeting materials
for the upcoming Council meeting. Also, please be aware that I intend to make an oral
communication on this topic during this next meeting.
Best, Matt Tinsley
Matthew Tinsley, Ph.D.
Director – Strong Start
Office of the Superintendent
Santa Clara County Office of Education
1290 Ridder Park Drive MC 243
San Jose, CA 95131-2304
(408) 453-6807
mtinsley@sccoe.org
Maximizer – Input – Strategic – Relator – Ideation
Pronouns: he / him / his
Office of the City Clerk City of Gilroy 7351 Rosanna Street, Gilroy, CA 95020 May 11, 2023 PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA: Support for Licensed Family Child Care Home (FCCH) providers in Gilroy Dear Mayor Blankley and City Councilmembers, Licensed Family Child Care Home (FCCH) providers are skilled early learning professionals, typically women of color, whose small businesses provide an essential service in Gilroy. According to data from the California Department of Social Services, 21 FCCH have closed in Gilroy since the beginning of the pandemic. These closures negatively affect children’s academic and social development, and directly reduce family member’s workforce participation, increase absenteeism, and have negative impacts on employers and the local economy. The City of Gilroy can support these essential small businesses by:
1. Updating City Policies to Reflect that FCCH is a Residential Use of Property Using a home as an FCCH is an accessory use of a residential property (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1597.43(a)) and is a use by right for the purposes of all local ordinances (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)).
2. Waiving All Local Fees and Charges to Operate an FCCH Upfront costs are a disincentive to open these low margin businesses and may conflict with California Health & Safety Code: “A local jurisdiction shall not impose a business license, fee, or tax for the privilege of operating a small or large family daycare home (§ 1597.45(b)).
3. Including FCCH in Small Business Programs, Supports and Grant Opportunities FCCH providers are small business owners who need access to the same supports as other entrepreneurs. Intentionally including them in outreach to existing small businesses programs will strengthen their ability to serve Gilroy families. Thank you for considering these actions. Please feel free to contact Dr. Matthew Tinsley, Director, Strong Start at the Santa Clara County Office of Education (mtinsley@sccoe.org) with any questions. Sincerely, Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D. County Superintendent of Schools
GilroySupport Family Childcare Homes in
Gilroy can support these essential small businesses by:
Updating city policies
to reflect that an FCCH is a
residential use of property
Waiving all local fees
and charges to operate
an FCCH business
Including FCCH
providers in small business
programs, supports and
grant opportunities.
45% of licensed childcare
capacity in Gilroy for
children 0-5 is in FCCH.
21 of 95 FCCH closed during the pandemic in Gilroy,
slowing economic recovery.
Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) are small businesses
primarily owned by women who are Black, Indigenous or people
of color (BIPOC), who provide childcare in their homes.