In an effort to increase civic participation, the Long Beach City Council approved a feasibility study on a child care program for residents to use during meetings.
The idea was originally brought to the council by former Councilmember Jeannine Pearce in 2019, but was put on pause when the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. City staff will return in 90 days with a feasibility report on the funding and staff hours required for the program.
“We know that our city is stronger when more people from varying backgrounds are able to participate,” said Councilmember Joni Ricks-Oddie. “That’s what this item is about — ensuring that our meetings are accessible, not just in terms of language or physical space, but in terms of life circumstances.”
Multiple cities have begun similar programs in recent years to lower the barriers preventing people from engaging in public meetings. Culver City launched its free childcare program for children 5 years or older in February, which operates from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The city of Ithica, New York has offered a childcare program during city council meetings since 2019, and residents in several cities have since been pushing for it.
“The reality is that many working parents and caregivers want to participate in local gov but face the very real challenge of securing childcare,” Ricks-Oddie said. “Whether it’s a public hearing, a council vote or simply wanting to give public comment, if there’s no child watch civic engagement is simply out of reach for them.”
Councilmember Megan Kerr pointed out that sometimes city council meetings go well into the evening, often past 11 p.m. She suggested that Long Beach look at how other cities run their meetings in order to give residents a better sense of when an item will be discussed, such as publishing what order the items will be discussed.
Pearce also mentioned that the City already studied a budget and framework for a pilot program back in 2019.
“With everything going on at our federal level right now, this is about democracy, this is about making sure people have access to the decisions that are impacting their life and get to fully engage,” Pearce said.
