Money for Childcare – Los Angeles

Victory for Grassroots Women!

After more than a year of hard work and the support of over 250 organizations and individuals, the Every Mother is a Working Mother Network (EMWM), which is coordinated by the Wages for Housework Campaign, won a $74 million after-school childcare program, the largest in the country, at the May 11, 1999 meeting of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.  More than 16,000 children of CalWORKs and other low-income families will get quality after-school care.  Our victory ran as the lead story in the LA Times and was covered by many other newspapers, TV and radio stations including National Public Radio and by Associated Press.  Since then, county officials have credited the EMWM as the network which proposed, fought for, and succeeded in winning the program.  Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has announced its plans to expand the After-School Enrichment Programs to all elementary school campuses, a step which was a direct result of EMWM work, and would benefit thousands more children and families.

After several meetings with the EMWM Nutrition Working Group, LAUSD is now providing a more substantial and nutritious snack with plans to offer a hot meal in the After-School programs, and the County Office of Education has committed to work toward this goal.

Money Won

What Changes We've Won

All Women Count