Uplift Child Care Coalition - Child Care Facilities Action Network

Child Care Facilities Action Network

The Central Coast Child Care Facilities Action Network
From policy to projects: expanding child care locally. A regional effort focused on making it easier to develop child care facilities.

The Uplift Regionwide Child Care Coalition brings together the brightest minds to ignite innovation and reinforce child care as an integral component of an equitable and thriving Central Coast economy. Partners from six counties—from Santa Cruz to Ventura—have united in a first-of-its-kind collaboration to strengthen the child care system as a driver of economic mobility. This work includes advancing practical solutions through the Child Care Facilities Action Network. This initiative focuses on helping communities improve local child care land use policies and support the development of new and expanded child care facilities, including colocation with housing and other community uses, as strategies to build economic mobility.

Regional Goal: Expand Child Care Access

The goal is by June 2028, at least 60% of participating jurisdictions across the Central Coast will demonstrate measurable progress toward child care land use best practices, including:

Removing zoning and regulatory barriers
Improving permitting pathways
Advancing colocation with housing and other community uses
Supporting implementation at the local level

How the Initiative Works

The Child Care Facilities Action Network weaves together local policy advancement efforts, on-the ground implementation support, and community investment, to initiate change. This coordinated approach creates:

Clearer and less restrictive approval processes
Faster project movement
More feasible sites for child care
Better alignment with community needs
Measurable increases in child care capacity across the region

Policy Advancement: Cities & Counties

Cities and counties are key partners in the Child Care Facilities Action Network. Participation is designed to be practical, collaborative, and directly tied to local priorities. The Child Care Facilities Action Network supports jurisdictions to:

Assess jurisdiction’s current land use policies related to child care
Learn from peers across the region
Develop and advance local action plans
Work with Child Care Facilities Specialists to support implementation
Track progress over time

Clear, well-aligned policies make it possible for more child care projects to move forward, with fewer delays and fewer barriers.

What Participation Looks Like for Cities and Counties

Designate a planning staff representative
Participate in a regional land use survey
Engage in study sessions and peer learning
Identify potential policy changes for their jurisdiction
Work with Specialists to implement the policy changes, and track progress

Coming soon: Learn how your jurisdiction can participate.

Community Investment in
Child Care

Community Investment Partners advance this work through advocacy, partnerships, and funding, all of which help connect stakeholders, elevate priorities, and align resources to move child care projects forward.

What participation looks like for Community Investment Partners

Community partners can engage in a variety of ways based on their capacity and priorities:

Advocate and elevate awareness regarding child care
Build partnerships and connections by bringing together providers, developers, agencies, and other key stakeholders
Align funding and leverage resources to support facility development
Dedicate funding towards for child care facilities

Coming soon: How to engage in supporting the initiative

Local Implementation Support: Child Care Facilities Specialists

Child Care Facilities Specialists are selected and trained advocates who support child care facility development in their communities. They participate in a structured Community of Practice and receive training in land use policy, colocation with housing, and local implementation so they can effectively work with jurisdictions to strengthen land use policies and remove barriers.

The Coalition is recruiting participants to serve as Child Care Facilities Specialists. This is an opportunity to develop expertise and play a meaningful role in expanding child care access.

What participation looks like for Child Care Facilities Specialists

Participate in a multi-session Community of Practice
Receive training in land use policy and colocation
Work directly with jurisdictions to amend policies and practices
Share information learned with operators who are expanding

Coming soon: How to apply to become a Child Care Facilities Specialist

For more information or to get involved in the Child Care Facilities Action Network:

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