ROTARY LUNCHEON: Sandee Blechman, Child Care Needs

Quality child care and early education matter. Parents need reliable child care so that they can work and children need nurturing early education so they are prepared for school and for life. But quality child care is expensive and there isn’t enough financial assistance for all families that need it. Sandee Blechman, Executive Director of Children's Council, will describe the early care and education landscape in San Francisco—the situation faced by families and the workforce, the policy environment, gaps in funding, and the case for increased investment (public and private) to achieve quality child care and early education for all.

For over 40 years, Children’s Council has been at the heart of child care and early education in San Francisco. Children’s Council connects families to child care that meets their needs and works with parents, providers and community partners to make quality child care and early education a reality for all children in our city. 

Each year Children’s Council helps thousands of parents understand and navigate their options and pay for child care.  We increase the availability of quality care by helping people start child care businesses and developing their skills as early educators.  We also engage with policymakers to increase state and local investment in early care and education.

A 39-year resident of San Francisco, Executive Director Sandee Blechman joined Children’s Council in 2011. Under her leadership, Children’s Council has strengthened its programs for both families and child care providers, modernized its brand and technology, including a new Online Child Care Finder, and built a private base of support to fund innovation and new programs. Sandee serves on the San Francisco Child Care Policy and Advisory Council where she is chair of the Policy & Legislation Committee, on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the San Francisco Office of Early Care & Education, and on the Board of Directors of the California Child Care Resource & Referral Network.  With a BA from Yale University and a MBA from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, Sandee has provided transformational leadership for a variety of San Francisco non-profits.

This is a weekly membership meeting for The Rotary Club of San Francisco, open to all Rotarians, visiting Rotarians, prospective members and guests.

Each luncheon ticket includes a three-course lunch. Individual tickets for Club members are $30 each; a book of five member tickets is $140. Non-member tickets are $40 each; a book of four non-member tickets is $145. Payment by credit card or check is preferred. Tickets available for purchase only at the door.