San Mateo County puts $10 million behind a new push to make child care easier for working families
San Mateo County, California – San Mateo County is moving ahead with a major child care investment after the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved $10 million for two pilot programs aimed at helping families find and afford care.
The resolution, sponsored by Supervisors Jackie Speier and Lisa Gauthier, was approved on June 9 after months of community outreach, research and planning. County officials say the investment is meant to address a problem that has grown too large to ignore: child care is expensive, difficult to navigate and often out of reach for working parents.
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One part of the plan will create a one-stop child care navigation portal. The online system is expected to help parents search for providers, apply for care and check whether they may qualify for subsidies. The second program, called Tri-Share, will split child care costs among the County, employers and parents. It is designed for families who earn too much to qualify for subsidies but still cannot comfortably pay for care.
“I am so excited and proud that San Mateo County is making a firm statement with this substantial investment: children count,” Sup. Speier said.
She said child care costs can exceed $30,000 a year per child, while providers face a fragmented system and businesses lose workers when care becomes too expensive. Speier added that the two pilots could help counter an estimated $775 million in lost productivity each year and reduce child care costs for more than 1,000 families.
Gauthier said the proposal came directly from what families have been saying across the county.
“Families want quality childcare that is accessible, affordable, and meets their needs,” she said.
“By making it easier to find care and helping working families manage the cost, we are creating opportunities for parents to thrive, children to succeed, and our communities to remain strong.”
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County Executive Mike Callagy called affordable child care “essential infrastructure for a thriving community,” saying the pilots will support families, providers, employers and the local economy.
Before the vote, Speier and Gauthier held four town halls across San Mateo County to hear from parents and providers. The County Executive’s Office also used a Request for Information and a competitive Request for Proposals, reviewed by subject matter experts. Staff ultimately recommended tech company Tootris to administer both programs.
The navigation portal is scheduled to launch in fall 2026. The Tri-Share program is expected to begin in January 2027.
