Davis pledges millions for day-care safety

Greg Risling

In response to two attacks on child-care centers last year, Gov. Gray

Davis has pledged $5 million to improve safety standards at licensed

facilities in the upcoming state budget.

No one was more happy about the proposed safety initiative than Cindy

Soto, who lost her 4-year-old daughter, Sierra, when she was killed at a

Costa Mesa day-care center in May. Soto’s daughter and another boy,

3-year-old Brandon Wiener, were fatally injured when a motorist, claiming

he wanted to kill innocent children, drove his car onto a playground.

That event, along with a shooting in Granada Hills where a gunman opened

fire in a Jewish community center, helped spur the legislative process.

“This money is planting a seed,” Soto said. “This is what we’ve be

working toward and we are glad to see the state is willing to respond.”

The one-time allocation would be distributed to the state’s Department of

Social Services and the Community Care Licensing Division. The agencies

would jointly develop and distribute an emergency preparedness guide to

child-care providers. A large chunk of the proposed funding would also

train about 10,000 providers on topics addressed in the brochure.

“I think there was a growing awareness of problems that occurred at some

of the centers around California,” said Sandy Harrison, assistant

director of the state’s Finance Department. “Given some of the

circumstances, the issue needed some attention.”

Soto hasn’t stopped lobbying for safety enhancements at day-care centers

since her daughter was killed, including starting a foundation in

Sierra’s name. With the help of volunteers, Soto has made public speaking

engagements, met with child-care advocates and attended numerous

meetings.

She was also encouraged by news that the state’s Children and Families

Commission will match the governor’s proposal with $3 million in funding

for grants. The money will come from Prop. 10 funds and provide grants of

up to $5,000.

Soto hopes the county’s commission of the same name will follow the

state’s lead in allocating Prop. 10 funds for better safety standards at

child-care centers. The county commission will make its decision later

this year.

“The state is planning to chip in and I’d like to see the county do the

same,” Soto said. “Since one of these tragedies happened here in Orange

County, I know the commission will take it to heart.”

Those who work in the child-care field were also enthusiastic that there

has been a push to improve the quality of day-care centers.

“Any efforts to enhance child care is a positive step,” said Elda

Lavinbuk, a child care advocate in Orange County. “We are happy to hear

the state commission is responding to the governor’s plan and augmenting

a significant allocation.”

The timing couldn’t be better for Soto. Today, she will attend a ceremony

where a plaque with her daughter’s name will be placed at the day-care

center where she died.

Soto knows progress has been made. And, it’s been a struggle to get to

that point.

But she won’t quit. Not now.

“There are no acceptable losses,” she said. “We need to upgrade with the

times. This has been a passion for me. I’m doing it for my daughter, and

in large part to make sure another child isn’t hurt.”