Childcare providers in California struggle post-disaster recovery

After disasters, childcare providers can become essential support systems, but they often struggle to recover. Many are not financially stable, making it hard to bounce back after events like wildfires. Felisa Wright, a daycare owner in Altadena, California, lost her home in a fire in January. She evacuated her family as flames approached, taking only important documents. Later, she learned her house was destroyed, along with the equipment for her daycare, where she cared for 14 children. Wright hopes to reopen her daycare but faces significant challenges, especially as rental prices surge and landlords hesitate to rent to in-home childcare businesses. The recent fires in LA were exacerbated by climate change, making such disasters more frequent. Many licensed childcare facilities in the area have been damaged or destroyed, creating gaps in care. Even when childcare centers are operational, poor air quality can deter parents from sending their kids. The pressure is immense on childcare providers who must manage their own recovery while ensuring care for children. Wright has received some temporary financial aid, but she emphasizes that short-term support is not enough. She wishes for a long-term solution, especially given the ongoing effects of climate-related disasters. The Small Business Administration rejected her loan application because her income was too low, and she struggles to save money due to the high costs of childcare. Another resident, Robin Szidak, also lost her home and found it challenging to arrange childcare for her foster child. While she was lucky to have insurance, the logistics of moving and settling into temporary housing were overwhelming. Szidak received help from a volunteer organization that provided free childcare after her home was lost. This assistance gave her crucial breathing space to handle other urgent matters. The National Emergency Child Care Network, which helped Szidak, is relatively small but highlights the need for better support systems for families after disasters. While helpful, volunteer services are not a complete answer, as they lack the training and licensing of professional childcare providers. As families like Wright's and Szidak's navigate recovery, the existing framework for childcare during disasters is inadequate. Experts call for more robust planning and support systems, emphasizing the reality of climate change and its inevitable impact on childcare services. For now, both women are focused on finding stability and ensuring they are better prepared for future emergencies.