LOS‌‌ ANGELES‌‌—‌‌ ‌Los Angeles City Council‌ ‌President‌ ‌Nury‌ ‌Martinez‌ announced today registration is open for her $10 million City of LA Childcare voucher assistance program (LA CARES), which provides free childcare subsidies for essential and low-income workers impacted by COVID-19.

A Families First advocate, Council President Martinez created a three-phase, $30 million plan to provide child-care assistance utilizing federal CARES Act funding as Chair of the Ad-Hoc Committee on COVID-19 Recovery and Neighborhood Investment and as President of the Council.

The LA CARES – Child Care for Essential & Low-Income Workers program is overseen by the non-profit, The Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles (CCALA), and its seven partner agencies that will distribute these LA Cityfunds on behalf of eligible essential workers, as well as low-income workers at/or below 85% of State Median Income. Funding will be available through December 31, 2020.

 City residents can register at ccala.net or by calling 1-888-922-4453.

“The inability to pay for childcare during COVID-19 continues to be a major burden for many of our essential workers and low-income families who are doing the most difficult and needed jobs during the pandemic for our benefit,” said Council President Nury Martinez. “Many of our parents have no choice but to stay home with their children and cannot work, which causes great economic trauma and uncertainty for our families. As a mother, this weighs heavy on my mind. This is the reason I made childcare a priority in assisting families during this unforgiving pandemic. I thank my COVID-19 Ad-Hoc Committee members and the entire Los Angeles City Council for their full support in providing $30 million overall in child-care assistance.”

 In September, Council President Martinez launched the first phase of her child-care assistance plan, providing $10 million in City of Los Angeles’ CARES Act funding to open 50 Alternative Learning Centers throughout the City providing free childcare, distance learning assistance, meals and recreational activities overseen by Recreation and Parks. Phase III, a $10 million Childcare Providers’ assistance program, will launch soon.

 Councilwoman Nury Martinez is the President of the Los Angeles City Council. She represents the Sixth Council District, which includes all or parts of the neighborhoods of Arleta, Lake Balboa, North Hills East, North Hollywood, Panorama City, Sun Valley and Van Nuys.

http://www.nury-martinez.com/