At the Santa Barbara Foundation (SBF), we understand that access to quality child care isn’t just a convenience, it’s a lifeline for the mental well-being of children and their families.
Research consistently shows that the early years are critical for children’s mental health and development. Quality child care programs not only provide safe spaces for learning but also establish strong foundations for emotional resilience and social skills.
However, many parents across Santa Barbara County are struggling to find available child care spaces as demand for affordable, high-quality care continues to rise. Increased support is needed to ensure more children have access to environments where they can thrive emotionally, mentally, and socially.
The child care crisis in our county is stark. Only 1 in 10 infants and toddlers have access to available care, leaving thousands of families on waitlists. For families, this scarcity leads to stress, and for children, it means fewer opportunities for early social and emotional development. Through our partnerships with organizations like Children’s Resource and Referral (CR&R) and the Child Care Planning Council (CCPC), a division of the Santa Barbara County Education Office, we are addressing this crisis with a focus on mental health.
Building a Stronger Future: SBF’s Role in Child Care & Your Opportunity to Support
A key aspect of our work is supporting organizations that share our commitment to quality child care. Through our Child Care grants, providers can enhance their services in ways that directly benefit children’s well-being. These grants enable child care centers to expand their capacity, provide professional development for caregivers, and implement family engagement strategies, all essential to create nurturing, mentally supportive environments for children.
In 2024, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast received our SBF capacity grant that helped them embark on a multi-phased strategic planning process with their leadership team and board. This initiative has strengthened their ability to serve youth across two counties by focusing on four strategic priorities:
The Boys and Girls Clubs’ strategic planning process, made possible by the grant, also fostered collaboration and alignment among staff. As Kelly White O’Neill, Director of Marketing and Donor Communication, shared, “Having the funding to rent meeting space allowed us to bring our entire team together on multiple occasions, strengthening relationships, improving communication, and aligning our vision and strategies.”
In 2023, the Santa Barbara Foundation funded the Allan Hancock College (AHC) Children’s Center to support the Reflections of Home in School Project. This initiative enhanced classroom environments to better reflect the diverse backgrounds of students and their families.
The grant funded the purchase of books to update classroom libraries, ensuring they represent the varied cultures, languages, and experiences of the children. Additionally, AHC’s Children Center organized a workshop for families with a certified California Preschool Instruction Network trainer, equipping parents with tools to bring literacy and learning into their homes. This dual focus on classroom resources and family engagement plays a crucial role in supporting children’s mental health by fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging strong parent-child connections through literacy.
Additionally, the Santa Barbara Foundation partnered in the ARPA Child Care Collaborative which helped create over 1,000 new licensed infant and toddler spaces in the last two years and supported 900+ child care businesses with technical assistance. These efforts not only increase access to care but also ensure that caregivers are equipped to support children’s mental health through evidence-based practices.
The high cost of child care creates another barrier to accessing nurturing environments that promote mental well-being. For families who don’t qualify for public programs but can’t afford market rates, the struggle is particularly acute. In 2023, we awarded over $320,000 in grants to 10 organizations and provided 73 scholarships for Santa Barbara County families. Additionally, our William and Lottie Daniel Fund Scholarship grants help working families bridge this gap, reducing financial stress and ensuring their children can access quality care.
Looking Forward
Since 2019, the Santa Barbara Foundation has invested over $2 million in child care scholarships and capacity-building grants. This funding has supported 400 children and strengthened 44 child care providers. But this is only the beginning.
To truly address the child care crisis and support children’s mental health, we need continued investment. Together, we can expand the child care workforce, advocate for better policies, and grow philanthropic giving to programs that make a difference. As we spotlight the importance of children’s mental health, the Santa Barbara Foundation is proud to emphasize the role of prevention. Preventative mental health care is a collective effort. By addressing challenges early, we can ensure that children grow up in supportive environments that nurture their potential for generations to come .
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