San Mateo County approves $10 million childcare initiative

“Lack of affordable accessible childcare is hurting San Mateo County in ways that we can no longer ignore,” Speier said at the board’s meeting Tuesday. “Working families are being crushed by the cost … providers are struggling to connect with families … and businesses are losing their workforce as the costs of care begin to outweigh the value of wages.” 

The resolution approval provided for hiring a company to create a countywide public-facing childcare navigation technology as well as launching a multisource provider payment program for childcare. 

The navigation technology — referred to as the SMC Childcare Hub — will serve as a one-stop shop for families seeking quality care for their children aged 0-12. 

The site would include both subsidized and private pay options, as well as a range of styles such as center-based programs, family home care, nanny care and before- and after-school options, according to a staff report. 

The portal would include information on state licensing records and eligibility determination, intake process, subsidy routing and document management for families using subsidy programs. 

Beyond consolidating childcare services into one portal, the resolution also proposes to establish a multisource provider payment model, commonly referred to as TriShare. 

This model allows the cost of childcare to be shared among a government agency, an employer and a qualifying employee. The county approved allocating $8,865,000 to the TriShare program. 

“TriShare is a true partnership, employers, parents and the county each share a piece of the cost,” Speier said. “In states and counties where this has been implemented, TriShare has improved workforce retention, reduced absenteeisms and saved working parents thousands of dollars a year.” 

As proposed, the TriShare program could serve as many as 1,200 children a year, Speier said. 

Board President Noelia Corzo raised concern that no private employer has yet agreed to participate in the TriShare program, but Supervisor Ray Mueller reiterated the fact that the county’s money will only be spent if the private sector steps up to do its part. 

The county itself would also participate in the program on behalf of its employees, staff said. 

A needs assessment conducted in 2025 identified a shortage of 1,402 infant childcare spaces and 7,501 spaces for children ages 5 and up across the county, according to a staff report. 

The assessment also found that the biggest challenges families face when seeking childcare is affordability, the ability to enroll right away, and identifying a program with a desired schedule. 

“Childcare is a public need and it’s been treated like a private luxury for far too long,” Speier said. 

As a cosponsor of the initiative, Gauthier said she’s proud of the work the county is doing, and will continue to do, on this initiative.

“Investing in childcare is an investment in children, working families, employers and our future workforce,” Gauthier said. “I’m looking forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on families throughout San Mateo County. 

The allocation was approved unanimously.