by the El Reportero staff
REDWOOD CITY — The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a $10 million investment to launch two new child care programs aimed at helping working families find affordable, accessible care.
The funding, approved June 9, will support a countywide child care navigation portal and a new Tri-Share pilot program. County leaders say the initiatives are designed to reduce financial barriers for families while strengthening the local workforce and economy.
The first program will create a one-stop online portal where parents can search for child care providers, apply for services, and determine whether they qualify for subsidies. Officials say the portal will simplify a process that many families currently find confusing and time-consuming.
The second initiative, known as Tri-Share, will help middle-income families who earn too much to qualify for traditional child care subsidies but still struggle to afford care. Under the program, child care costs will be shared among employers, participating families, and the county.
Supervisor Jackie Speier, who sponsored the resolution along with Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, said rising child care costs have become a major burden for local families. According to county estimates, annual child care expenses can exceed $30,000 per child, forcing many parents to make difficult financial decisions.
County officials also noted that businesses are affected when workers are unable to find affordable care. They estimate that child care challenges contribute to approximately $775 million in lost productivity each year across the region.
“This investment sends a strong message that children and families matter,” Speier said in a statement following the vote.
Gauthier said the programs were developed after extensive conversations with parents, providers, employers, and community organizations throughout the county. She emphasized that improving access to quality child care will help parents remain in the workforce while supporting children’s development and long-term success.
County Executive Mike Callagy called affordable child care “essential infrastructure” for a healthy economy and thriving communities.
The county conducted public meetings and reviewed proposals before selecting the technology company Tootris to administer both programs. The child care portal is expected to launch in fall 2026, while the Tri-Share program is scheduled to begin in January 2027.
Officials believe the investment will assist more than 1,000 families and create a foundation for future child care expansion efforts throughout San Mateo County.
Source: San Mateo County Executive’s Office.
