Sacramento Children's Fund Planning and Oversight Commission Regular Meeting – October 1, 2026

The Sacramento Children's Fund Planning and Oversight Commission met on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 10:08 a.m. in Sacramento City Hall. Chair Eugenia Richardson presided, with seven commissioners present and one absent. The meeting featured presentations on early childhood investments and the third‑year review of the Strategic Investment Plan (SIP), public comments, and discussion of changes for the next Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The meeting was extended past two hours and adjourned at 12:00 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes (August 6, 2026) – File ID 2026-00027: Passed unanimously.
• Approval of Commission Follow‑Up Log – File ID 2026-00277: Passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gabriel Valdez (Government Affairs Intern, Child Action / Lift Up Sacramento coalition) presented data on child‑care gaps in Sacramento County: only 29% of children aged 12 and under with working parents have access to licensed child care; 96,400 children qualify for subsidies but only 20% are enrolled; over 4,000 children are on waiting lists; child‑care disruptions cost the county $1–$1.2 billion annually in lost economic potential. He expressed strong support for continued investments in early learning and care infrastructure.
• Tasha Johnson (new Executive Director, Youth Forward) introduced herself, noting her experience with youth development, workforce development, and housing stability, and pledged to work with the commission to support youth‑driven decisions.

Discussion Items

Item 3 – Sacramento Children’s Fund 0‑5 Fund Goal Janine Cooper (Child Care Project Manager, City Economic Development) presented on the importance of zero‑to‑five investments. She highlighted:

• Scale of need: Nearly 300 children on the city’s subsidized waitlist, over 4,000 in Sacramento County; average monthly cost $1,000–$1,325; only 1 in 4 eligible children under three receive early intervention services.
• City investments since 2021: $1.5 M ARPA funds for child‑care services; $394k federal grant for an ECE apprenticeship program; $850k for capacity building; $1 M+ for the ECE workforce. All are one‑time funds.
• Apprenticeship program results: Two cohorts graduated (22) with 89% job‑site retention for at least one year; three cohorts now running with over 50 participants; wraparound services increased retention from 50% to 78%.
• Family child‑care home expansion: 26 new family child‑care homes created 208 slots; infant/toddler expansion added 128 slots; ongoing business development program. Commissioners asked about targeting the highest‑need families, and Ms. Cooper recommended continuing the apprenticeship program and supporting family child‑care home providers. Commissioners also discussed the importance of investing in educators and non‑traditional care models.

Item 4 – Sacramento Children’s Fund Strategic Investment Plan Third Year Review Julie Garen (Program Specialist) provided an update:

• Fiscal year 2026 fund allocation: $8,410,200 (down $633,800 from FY2025). Revenue projects the fund will hold steady in future years.
• Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) launch: Applications opened October 1, 2026, for transitional‑age foster youth (16–23). Participants will receive $900/month for two years; nearly 300 pre‑applications already received. United Way will present details in November.
• Proposed changes for the next NOFO (February–March 2027, estimated $10–14 M):
  • Applicants select only a primary fund goal (no secondary) plus a narrative on cross‑cutting strategies.
  • Identify level of prevention (primary, secondary, tertiary) as self‑identification for all fund goals.
  • Seed COI preference points: Require verifiable proof (lease/MOU, participant data) to eliminate automatic points; consider updating data and narrowing thresholds.
  • Small/emerging CBOs: Raise the organizational budget threshold from $200k (to $500k or more) and increase the set‑aside from $375k (potentially to $500k). Award amounts may increase from $75,000 over 3.5 years.
  • Grant review panel: Stipends ($200–$500), mandatory anti‑bias training, and earlier recruitment to avoid delays; commissioners asked for a recruitment timeline.
  • Grants management system (GMS): Upgraded; commissioners preferred receiving a video overview rather than a live demo at the November meeting. Commissioners reached consensus on moving to a single primary fund goal and identifying level of prevention. They agreed to further discuss small/emerging CBO funding amounts and thresholds at the November meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved by voice vote (7‑0).
• Motion to extend the meeting past two hours (Commissioner Thomas / Vice Chair Ghafari) passed (6‑0, two absent).
• Next RFP/NOFO direction: Commissioners generally supported: (1) applicants select only a primary fund goal, (2) self‑identify level of prevention, (3) stricter Seed COI documentation, (4) increased set‑aside for small/emerging CBOs (with specific numbers to be determined in November), and (5) raising the organizational budget threshold for small/emerging status.
• Follow‑up items: Julie Garen will provide a timeline for grant‑panel recruitment at the November meeting; the citywide violence reduction strategy will be shared when final; a video overview of the GMS will be sent to commissioners.
• Future meetings: A possible January 2027 meeting was requested, as the NOFO is expected in February–March 2027. The commission also plans a joint meeting with the Youth Commission in 2027.
• Adjournment: 12:00 p.m.