Nancy Macías, (408) 712-2150
nancy.macias@sjlibrary.org
Thursday, March 17, 2022
San José Public Library Receives Funding to Build More Equitable Future for Most At-Risk Children in Our Community
Federal legislation will fund vital local workforce development and early education programs
San José, Calif., March 17, 2022 - The City of San José, through the San José Public Library (SJPL) received Community Project Funding of $1.5 million as part of the Economic Development Initiative included in the 2022 Federal Budget, which was signed by President Biden on Friday, March 11. Working through the library, the City of San José will use these funds to bolster the quality of its early learning programming and support the city’s most at-risk children ages 0-5 and their families by (1) providing vital workforce development for early learning providers who render critical support and education to families at low to no cost, (2) reducing San José’s digital divide by targeting historically underserved families with children ages 0-5 and providing digital devices and resources in order to advance social and economic equity, and (3) ensuring the availability of flexible, high quality, free virtual early learning programs that promote school readiness.
This project builds on the crucial efforts of the San José Public Library to serve the most vulnerable children in our community by providing professional training for Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers of children under the age of five. In California, 80% of children ages 0-2 and 40% of children ages 0-5 are cared for by FFNs. SJPL’s current Caregiver Support Network provides 106 FFN caregivers access to high-quality workforce development training in child development, which enhances quality childcare environments, and provides more equitable outcomes both for families seeking care and for those providing care.
“I’m proud to have secured $1.5 million for the San José Public Library to improve and expand the City’s early learning programming. This critical initiative trains caregivers to teach the youngest and most vulnerable children and provide them with digital access and virtual learning. With this funding, more San José families will have access to affordable and high-quality early learning for their children, “ said Representative Anna Eshoo (CA-18).
“This program will strengthen early education in our community by providing caregivers with free, high quality professional training, internet access, and closing the digital divide for underserved families,” said Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17). “I’m proud to have worked alongside Congresswoman Eshoo to secure this critical funding in the Fiscal Year 22 spending bill signed into law by President Biden.”
"Representatives Anna Eshoo and Ro’ Khanna’s advocacy of $1.5 million in federal investment in our libraries' Family, Friends, and Neighbor Caregiver Network will enable us to scale this vitally important program for working families. It will ensure quality workforce development for over a hundred caregivers and provides a crucial service for parents and our youngest San Joseans, “ said San José Mayor Sam Liccardo.
Learn more about SJPL’s FFN Caregiver program at sjpl.org/FFN
About the San José Public Library
The San José Public Library is located in the heart of Silicon Valley and in the nation’s 10th largest city. SJPL serves a culturally diverse population of more than one million, making it one of the busiest library systems nationwide. It registers an average of over 4 million visits with a checkout rate of nearly 7 million items annually. Driven by its award-winning staff, recognized for its innovation and leadership, SJPL strives to ensure that our services reflect the city’s rich diversity and every member in our community enjoys their library experience.
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