California governor to consolidate child care programs

Newsom to create new umbrella agency

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - California Governor Gavin Newsom has a $10-million plan to consolidate the state's array of child care programs.

The programs are currently administered by a variety of state agencies. Newsom wants to change that. He wants to create a new state agency called the Department of Early Childhood Development. It would combine all state-subsidized child care programs for low-income families.

California has 6.5 million children under the age of 12. 57% of them are eligible for state services.

Some child care providers say the money would be better spent on boosting underfunded programs. Others say simplifying the process would make things easier for parents and providers alike.