SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías (D–District 15) is championing legislation aimed at making childcare more affordable and accessible for working families across California.
Drawing from her own experience as a parent, Farías understands the challenges many families face when searching for quality childcare.
“One of the biggest challenges I faced when I had my children was figuring out childcare,” Farías said. “Parents are often forced to navigate difficult questions about affordability, availability, and finding the best environment for their children.”
According to recent data, more than 90 percent of parents report struggling with childcare availability. The lack of affordable childcare options places significant financial strain on families, with a ReadyNation study estimating that inadequate childcare costs individual parents more than $5,500 annually.
To address these challenges, Farías introduced Assembly Bill 2258 (AB 2258), legislation designed to redirect millions of dollars in unspent childcare funding to California’s Alternative Payment Program (APP). The program provides need-based financial assistance to eligible families seeking childcare services.
Supporters say the bill will help reduce waitlists, increase access to childcare slots, and ensure that available state funding reaches families who need it most.“Each year, millions of dollars in childcare funding go unused because of administrative and structural barriers while thousands of families remain on waiting lists,” Farías said. “AB 2258 will help connect those resources to parents and children who depend on them.”
The measure has successfully passed the California State Assembly and is currently under consideration in the State Senate.Farías emphasized that every child deserves a safe place to learn and grow and that working families deserve reliable, affordable childcare options.“If we want strong communities and a strong economy, we must invest in families,” she said. “Together, we can make quality childcare more accessible for all Californians