Forward at 50: Building upon 50 years of service to families in San Francisco
by Barbara Coccodrilli Carlson, President & CEO, Children’s Council of San Francisco
As 2024 brought the celebration of 5 decades of empowering families and nurturing early childhood education in San Francisco, we’ve gathered valuable insights that have shaped our journey. Here are ten points we’ve learned over the past 50 years and will continue to build upon in the next 50.
1. Collaboration is Critical
Building strong partnerships with families, educators, city and state government agencies and community organizations amplifies our collective impact. Since 1996, Parent Voices San Francisco, our parent-led advocacy organization has been instrumental in driving child care policy changes at the city, state and national levels. Since our inception we have enjoyed strong relationships with our local government and state stakeholders in order to achieve the best outcomes for San Francisco’s children and families. And, in 2023, we reached a new milestone by partnering with 244 community-based organizations, an example of how our network and influence has grown over the years. In 2018, we helped co-found the San Francisco ECE Advocacy Coalition and play an active role in convening citywide partners to influence local, state and federal policy affecting young children, working families and early educators.

2. Access to Quality Child Care is Essential
Ensuring that every child has access to quality child care is crucial for their development and the well-being of our community. In 2016, we developed the Child Care Finder, an interactive online tool to help parents and caregivers discover high-quality child care in their neighborhood that meets their children’s needs. In 2018, we successfully lifted up the importance of universal child care for our San Francisco voters, who approved a momentous increase in dedicated funding to support child care financial aid for working families in our city. Thousands of children and families have been given access to quality child care since then!

3. Supported Families Foster Resilient Children
Providing resources and support to families strengthens the foundation for children’s success. By understanding each family’s unique needs and preferences, Children’s Council’s Family Engagement Navigators determine not only the type of child care funding that would be most beneficial and maximize the impact of individualized services, but also learn from families what other essential needs might support them to achieve economic security. And, one of our top priorities for 2025 is to launch our own vision for becoming part of the city’s network of Family Resource Centers.
The launch of Children’s Council’s Play Lab in 2021 offers community building for parents and caregivers by being an adaptable multipurpose classroom and interactive space for children. Play Lab programming includes playgroups, monthly parent cafes, a support group for new and expecting moms, a toy & book lending library, child development workshops and future support for family reunification through the Child Protective Services system.

4. Early Education Sets the Stage for Lifelong Success
Investing in early childhood education lays the groundwork for lifelong learning and positive health and wellness. Our Child Care Business Incubator and Quality coaches support people in San Francisco and beyond to launch and nurture thriving home-based child care programs while improving their skills as educators and business owners to be able to support the unique needs of each child they serve. Our Health & Nutrition programs fill tiny bellies and use evidenced-based tactics to change the behavioral health outcomes for our city’s children.

5. Amplifying Diverse Voices Creates Inclusive and Equitable Learning Environments
Embracing and respecting diverse cultures enriches educational experiences and promotes inclusivity. Our ECE Workforce Equity & Innovation team is building a diverse early education workforce to meet the needs of all San Francisco families and children. The Black Early Educators Policy Council (BEEPC), is composed of over 22 members from diverse ECE settings. The BEEPC provides valuable insights and recommendations to support the growth and retention of Black early educators. Children’s Council continued to foster growth in the field through its third cohort of the Black ECE Pipeline, an educational program designed for Black individuals passionate about advancing in the ECE field.
Additionally, Children’s Council remains committed to aligning staff demographics with the community we serve, ensuring our services are empathetic and culturally relevant.

6. Financial Assistance Eases Child Care Burdens
Offering financial support helps working families access quality child care without undue financial strain. It’s not easy to apply for or maintain a child care subsidy and the waitlists can be long. Children’s Council builds on this effort year after year so all children are given the chance to succeed in school and in life, bridging the achievement gap before it even starts.

7. Professional Development Elevates Caregivers and Educators
Continuous training and support for educators enhances the quality of care and education provided. The 2019 launch of our Family Child Care Business Incubator, one of our signature BizNest programs, has been instrumental in providing professional development and resources to early childhood educators by fostering a community of skilled professionals dedicated to nurturing young minds. The Incubator has made a profound impact on the Black community in San Francisco, leading to the establishment of 20 new businesses and empowering 100+ existing micro-entrepreneurs to thrive in their journeys.
8. Advocacy Drives Policy Change
Advocating for policies that support early childhood education leads to systemic improvements. Children’s Council has advocated for child care in legislation and funding since the 1980s, when we became one of the country’s first Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. In 2004, our efforts in the development and implementation of Prop H, a dedicated fund for universal preschool, illustrated our capacity to enact change locally and nationally. Then, in 2018, we supported initiatives under Baby Prop C, aiming to build a more robust and accessible child care system for families in San Francisco. We built upon this work in 2023, when we saved $120 million in funding for Baby Prop C by organizing at City Hall in coalition with over 700 parents, educators, providers and advocates.
9. Data-Informed Decisions Lead to Better Outcomes
Utilizing data to inform our decision making ensures we meet the evolving needs of children and families. Our Research, Data and Evaluation team, formed in 2021, was established to build our internal capacity for measuring, analyzing and communicating the impact of our programs through a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging lens.
10. Celebrating Milestones Strengthens Community Bonds
Reflecting on our achievements and challenges over the years fosters a sense of community and shared purpose. Our 50th Anniversary Gala in 2024 was a significant milestone, bringing together supporters and community members to celebrate our journey and reaffirm our commitment to San Francisco’s Families. In addition, we’ve also honored 21 Legacy Child Care Providers who have successfully run their business for decades—community members who have set an amazing example of commitment to care for our city’s children and families.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue growing alongside our partners, deepening our impact and driving policies that make a difference in the lives of San Francisco families with young children. Together, we will keep striving to build a stronger, more equitable future for all.
Comments are closed