Expanding access to infant care

Dear Friend,

I hope you’ve had a fun and relaxing summer so far! I’ve loved being home in San Diego the past few weeks, and I wanted to send a quick update on what I’ve been up to – from meeting with new and expecting parents and infant care providers to visiting some of San Diego’s amazing small businesses.

Keep reading for more highlights:

Hearing From Parents and Infant Care Providers

Earlier this summer, my office sent out a text message (maybe you got it!) about the child care crisis. Many of the responses we received were about how infant care is even more expensive and harder to find than traditional child care. That’s why I hosted a follow-up conversation with new and expecting parents and infant care providers to dig into these issues more.

We talked about how we can help low- and middle-income families access high-quality care, keep parents in the workforce, and ensure providers have the resources and staff they need to thrive. We still have a lot of work left to do to make San Diego’s infant care and child care systems more effective, equitable, and accessible – and I’m grateful we’re working together to make this happen.

Volunteering at Feeding San Diego

Food insecurity is another major issue in our community right now. That’s why I’m pushing for a bipartisan farm bill to expand proven programs that help people put food on the table like SNAP/Cal-Fresh, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

I’m also so grateful for all the amazing local organizations, like Feeding San Diego, that are doing the important work here in San Diego to fight hunger and help families put nutritious meals on the table. It was great to join them to help pack produce for their mobile food pantries and chat about their work to address this crisis in our community.

Meeting with Amazing Young San Diegans

I know our future is bright because of all the young people who care about helping our neighbors and bettering our country. That’s why I was so excited to get to spend time with Pershing Middle School’s Stephen, Brody, and Owen and learn more about their efforts to combat hunger locally and raise over 400 pounds of food for the San Diego Food Bank.

I also chatted with Arden Pala – who’s only a sophomore at Francis Parker High School! – who started his own nonprofit to help youth facing homelessness thrive and have bright futures by engaging them in sports. I was so inspired to learn about his work – the young people in our community never cease to amaze me!

Getting to Know Small Businesses in College Area

I’m also proud that San Diego is home to so many innovative and thriving small businesses – so it was great to visit some of my favorite spots in College Area and chat with local owners about their business models, new products they’re offering, and how I can support them in Congress.

I got to spend time at Little Fish Comic Book Studio, Power Fitness, iQ Graphics & Printing, Ultreya Coffee and Tea, Pop Up Picnic Co, and The Little Flower – and I can’t wait to be back to all these amazing businesses soon!