Community Bridges recently announced that Highlands Park Center in Ben Lomond, one of six sites in its Early Education Division (EED), has expanded its California State Preschool Program (CSPP) to offer free or low-cost early care and education services for qualifying income eligible families.
This change reflects the nonprofit organization’s commitment to addressing the growing need for affordable childcare in Santa Cruz County, where rising costs of living and childcare costs are placing increasing pressure on working families.
“For many families in Santa Cruz County, the cost of living is unsustainable, and affordable child care is essential to staying afloat and staying in our community,” said Raymon Cancino, CEO of Community Bridges. “Transitioning Highlands Park Center to a subsidized model allows us to serve more families at a critical time, providing them with the high-quality care their children deserve, without the heavy financial burden.”
The move toward subsidized care will ensure that more families in the San Lorenzo Valley have access and can afford high-quality early education services. With child care expenses in Santa Cruz County among the highest in the state ($20,093 for infants and $13,525 for preschoolers per year, according to KidsData.org), many parents face difficult choices between securing care, paying rent or covering other basic needs.
The model at Highlands Park Center offers relief by providing affordable, high-quality care and education for children aged 24 months to 5 years old, while still serving the larger community that do not qualify for services.
The Highlands Park Center has long been a trusted resource for families, offering a play-based curriculum focused on social-emotional development, developmental assessments, and safe indoor and outdoor play spaces. With this new shift, families who qualify for CSPP will receive access to the same enriching programs, led by highly trained CPR and First Aid certified staff.
CSPP supports families by offering free or reduced cost child care to those who meet income and eligibility criteria. Parents can now apply for subsidized care directly through the Highlands Park Center, giving them access to flexible scheduling options, developmental programs, and nurturing environments for their children at significantly reduced costs.
In most cases, families earning less than $130,000 per year can qualify for child care for free or at a reduced cost.
In addition to Highlands Park, Community Bridges also offers CSPP early education at several other sites, including locations in Watsonville, Freedom and Santa Cruz. This network of care ensures that families across the county have access to affordable, high-quality early learning opportunities.
In Santa Cruz County, where the average monthly cost for child care exceeds $2,000, access to subsidized programs is more essential than ever. Research shows that access to early childhood education not only supports children’s development but also enables parents to remain in the workforce, contributing to family stability.
“We are proud to increase accessibility to Highlands Park Center, ensuring that all children have opportunities to high-quality education and care they need to thrive, no matter their family’s financial situation,” said EED Program Director Lisa Hindman Holbert.
Families interested in applying for subsidized care through the California State Preschool Program at Highlands Park Center can learn more and determine eligibility by visiting communitybridges.org/eed.
