From Grassroots to Groundbreaking
Connections for Children (CFC) has been at the forefront of the early care and education movement for the past 50 years, securing support for families and early childhood educators. Guided by our mission to strengthen families through expanded access to quality early learning and care, we are honored to continue serving as a trusted lifeline for families, educators, and communities across the Westside and South Bay of Los Angeles as we reach this remarkable milestone.
Nearly half a century ago in 1976, a small group of bold visionaries gathered in the backroom of Family Services of Santa Monica with a single purpose: to ensure that young children and their families had the support they deserved. From that modest beginning, CFC was born.
Led by a remarkable group of women including Ida Bucher, Betsy Hiteshew, Laurie Rozet, and Jane Solnit Sale, this grassroots effort recognized the urgent need for quality child care so that families would not be left behind. With just two volunteers, CFC built programs that opened doors for women to join the workforce, providing peace of mind that their children were supported, nurtured, and thriving.
“Most child care centers at that time did not enroll infants and toddlers,” Sale reflected. “Laurie took the leadership in contacting various agencies and pursuing grants that led to the development of innovative child care programs and resources.”
Planting the Seeds of Change
With seed money from the City of Santa Monica and real estate developer Doug Pardee, child care resources and referral services began to bloom. These early efforts were soon strengthened by state legislation that created a permanent funding stream for vital early care services, helping to ensure that families had access to quality programs for years to come.
Before long, CFC’s signature Family Time early learning program took off, and our service area expanded from Santa Monica to Pacific Palisades and Redondo Beach. The success of Family Time inspired new services to support children’s learning and well-being, from training workshops for child care providers and educators, to a toy library in a van that traveled from one child care site to the next, delivering smiles at every stop.
Becoming a Leader in Early Care and Education
By the 1980s, CFC emerged as an independent nonprofit organization and a leader in the growing field of early care and education.
“It was a time when employers began to recognize the importance of quality child care,” reflected Former CFC Executive Director and Board Member Terry Ogawa. “That recognition, inspired by community action, led to enhanced referral services, parent education, and other family-friendly programs.”
As our organization’s reach and reputation grew, so did our impact. Into the 2000s, key partnerships with organizations such as First 5 LA and bipartisan support for early care and education expanded child care services and subsidies for families. In 2019, CFC relocated to Westchester and opened its first co-location at the Santa Monica Public Library, allowing us to be centrally located within our service area, increase access to child care resources, and maintain a close relationship with the Santa Monica community.
Adapting Through Change and Challenge
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted services and exposed unmet needs across Los Angeles County, CFC staff acted quickly to meet the moment. The organization shifted to a virtual service delivery model and supported the early childhood community through emergency child care subsidies, Personal Protective Equipment supplies, and provider stipends.
In the following years, this innovative hybrid model allowed CFC to virtually expand our impact across all corners of its service area, while also launching a new in-person Family Time location in Torrance. These efforts ensured that families and providers could continue receiving critical resources, training, and support even in the face of unprecedented challenges.
When wildfires devastated communities across Los Angeles in January 2025, CFC strengthened partnerships and built a community network of care to catch families and providers who might otherwise fall through the cracks. Establishing an emergency distribution site, delivering essential supplies, and providing financial relief and wellness support, CFC worked to stabilize families and child care programs in a time of crisis.
A Legacy of Impact
Today, Connections for Children remains anchored in the enduring belief that when families are supported, children thrive and communities grow stronger. Since our founding in 1976, we have connected more than 268,000 families to critical resources and administered over $300 million in child care subsidies. Each year, we serve more than 12,000 families, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to the care, learning, and support needed to thrive.
This impact is possible because of the unwavering support of our community. For five decades, parents, providers, educators, funders, and advocates have carried forward the vision of those early champions who believed that every family deserves a strong start.
Continuing the Journey Together
As we look toward the next 50 years, we remain dedicated to strengthening the systems that uplift children and families. Together, we are ensuring that quality child care and early education continue to be recognized as essential to a thriving and equitable community.
To learn more about how you can support strong foundations for families, please contact Ari Wood, External Relations and Fund Development Supervisor, at [email protected] or call (310) 452-3325, Ext. 271.
