It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic San Mateo County History Museum gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in San Mateo, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“I required 2 months of live-in care after a bone marrow transplant. I was put up at a little apartment near Stanford Hospital. I absolutely loved my caregivers! They had to drive me to appointments, assist with grocery shopping, drive me to pick up prescriptions, etc. Plus do the housework around the apartment. They made a long stay away from my husband, pets and home very pleasant.”
“I love to work in Always Best Care they nice”
“Work with the senior people is wonderful ????????”
“One of the best Senior Care Services I’ ve known and joined. The management and staff are really nice, caring, supportive and approachable. You feel like home with them.”
“We're very fortunate to have ABC assist us with our caregiving needs. They worked with us to find the right fit of caregivers who can attend to my parents' needs and had the essential cultural background.”
“Can I give this agency 10 stars? Angela has been wonderful to work with and her staff of caregivers have been professional and responsive. We're still clients and very happy with the care provided.”
“Carrie is wonderful, She always puts 100% effort in everything she does.”
“Been with them two months and already seeing excellent results. Can't wait to see what the next few months are like.”
“matt and carrie are seo superstars i highly recommend them. Great experience.”
“Highly recommend Mr. Marketing SEO. Experts in the marketing space and their team is great to work with.”
“Mr. Marketing SEO team gets the job done. we have seen an enormous increase in sales”
“Been with them two months and already seeing great results. can't wait to see what the next few months are like.”
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“Carrie's fantastic she always puts 100% effort in everything she does”
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“Thanks for the tips, have a wonderful day”
“I am a past client of this provider Five stars for Always Best Care of Peninsula? No! SIX STARS go to Angela, Ramon, and the gang in the field who make this agency top of the line. What makes it so special is their ability to place just the right skilled worker with the needy client. They all go the extra mile, and that is rare these days. And, finally ... they actually return phone calls!”
“I am a current client of this provider Their customer service was excellent and they were able to find a fantastic caregiver on short notice without having to do a preliminary home study or anything. I needed someone for backup care for my mom for the next day and they were able to oblige. My mom loved the caregiver and I felt the management really cared about my mom as they gave me some information on her condition and some needs she had that were not being met.”
“I would highly recommend Always Best Care for your needs with your loved ones. I found the representative Angela extremely knowledgeable, professional, caring, understanding, and patient with my needs. The board and care homes that were shown to me for my uncle are excellent with professional staffing, clean, comfortable, and safe surroundings. Covid precautions were in place for the safety of everyone. I honestly can say I would have felt happy to check into one of the board and care homes myself.”
“Angela and her team have been helping me with my Dad for the last 4 years. As my Dad's needs have changed ABC has come to my rescue. I started out needing someone to help me for a couple hours. We progressed to a point that my Dad needed 24 hr care. Angela provided around the clock care in my Dad's home until his health stabilized. After his stabilization, Angela helped me find a wonderful Board & Care facility where my Dad has been living for two years. Last year, when I found that I could no longer take my Dad on outings by myself, Angela started sending Mark to accompany us on outings. ABC has been there for us every step of the way. I would not think twice about calling them for help and I would recommend them in an instant.”
“Shirley McElhattan is one of the best in this business! She truly cares about the families she helps and goes out of her way to make the transition into a home as easy as possible. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING WORK!!!”
“You can not get a better working partner than Angela Encarnacion From Best Care Senior Services. Her professionalism and caring attitude made it so smooth to place a new resident in our RCFE home, both for the family and us. It is such a difficult and challenging situation to transfer an elder to a Board and Care but she was the in between person that just made the move a huge success. I am so impressed how detail oriented, punctual and knowledgeable she is. Her experience just facilitates any transaction because she has already thought of what is needed and its already taken care of before the situation arises. Just fabulous! Can't get Best Care Senior Services than what Angela offers!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting San Mateo Central Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local All Spice or visit San Mateo Japanese Garden, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in San Mateo, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in San Mateo, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in San Mateo, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The County claims the state is withholding funds that are threatening core local services. SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — The County of San Mateo is accusing the State of California of withholding nearly $38 million from them and local officials are claiming this will impact health care, public safety and affordable housing.This week, the County filed a lawsuit alleging that the State violated its own laws and a 2004 budget agreement. The lawsuit claims that the State shortchanged the County and its cities, from Daly City to Ea...
SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — The County of San Mateo is accusing the State of California of withholding nearly $38 million from them and local officials are claiming this will impact health care, public safety and affordable housing.
This week, the County filed a lawsuit alleging that the State violated its own laws and a 2004 budget agreement. The lawsuit claims that the State shortchanged the County and its cities, from Daly City to East Palo Alto, thereby endangering essential local services.
“These funds are owed to San Mateo County and our 20 cities,” said San Mateo County Executive Mike Callagy. “And instead of living up to its obligations, the State wants us to absorb the cost.”
The County is claiming the Vehicle License Fee Adjustment Amount, a funding source the lawsuit said provides critical services to local residents, is being withheld from them.
San Mateo County claims the legislature broke its promise, shorting local governments nearly $38 million of the $114.3 million owed. Despite an initial budget proposal that excluded the county entirely, lobbying secured two-thirds of the promised funds. Meanwhile, 55 other counties received their full VLFAA payments without issue, according to the lawsuit.
“The State’s failure to provide full payment of the VLFAA to San Mateo County and its cities will cause serious and lasting harm to the County and the cities whose budgets require these funds to deliver public services to residents,” the suit states. “The loss of this required revenue will strain the County and cities’ budgets and will reduce funding for critical public services.”
The State's VLFAA payment obligation began with the 2004 "VLF Swap," a budget deal where counties and cities surrendered vehicle license fee revenues and property taxes to aid the State's deficit and school funding. In return, the legislature guaranteed ongoing VLFAA replacement funding, adjusted annually for property tax growth, according to the lawsuit.
“The funding formula was supposed to treat every county the same, but because of how our schools are structured, San Mateo gets left out — and our residents pay the price,” Callagy said. “The system the State set up ties these replacement dollars to school funding formulas. That works everywhere else, but not here; because we have more basic-aid districts than most counties, we get shortchanged.”
The nearly $38 million shortfall, as per the County's lawsuit, would be distributed among the County government and its 20 cities within San Mateo County.
“These dollars pay for the things in our local budgets that residents rely on every day — from emergency response and health care to housing and public safety,” said Jackie Speier, a San Mateo County supervisor . “The State made a promise, and breaking it doesn’t just hurt local government budgets, it hurts our residents.”
SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — The Indie Author Fest returns Oct. 18 to the Belmont Library where independent authors have an opportunity to sell their self published works and network with others in the industry.The San Mateo County Libraries is bringing back the popular local indie author marketplace with free tables for independently published writers who want to be part of this creative space.They will also be featuring authors who will be talking about their craft, publishing experience and their marketing approach.&q...
SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — The Indie Author Fest returns Oct. 18 to the Belmont Library where independent authors have an opportunity to sell their self published works and network with others in the industry.
The San Mateo County Libraries is bringing back the popular local indie author marketplace with free tables for independently published writers who want to be part of this creative space.
They will also be featuring authors who will be talking about their craft, publishing experience and their marketing approach.
"This welcoming event is intended to help indie authors shine," San Mateo County Libraries officials said.
Independent authors at the San Mateo County Libraries Indie Author Fest. (San Mateo County Libraries)
Bay Area authors of all genres — fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, poetry, comics, cookbooks, how-to guides and everything in between — are welcome to participate.
"If you’ve got a book, we want to hear from you. We’d love to have a wide variety of voices, formats and perspectives represented," officials said.
Whether the authors have just released their debut book or have a whole series under their belts, this is a chance to celebrate the work and meet the community.
Spots for author tabling are limited—sign up today!
A statement from the San Mateo County Libraries:
"There’s something exciting happening in the world of books right now—and no, it’s not another wave of vampire romance (though we fully support that too). More and more authors are choosing to publish their own work, their own way, and it’s changing the game.
Indie authors are building something amazing. It’s not just about doing things differently — it’s about creative freedom and flexibility. It’s about the joy of sharing stories that feel true to you. Whether your book is bold, quirky, genre-bending, deeply personal or wonderfully weird, publishing independently means you get to bring your vision to life exactly how you imagined it.
Self-publishing has opened up incredible opportunities for writers to connect directly with readers, explore their voices and grow their own audiences on their own terms. From Kindle to Wattpad, #AuthorsofInstagram to BookTok and live streaming to cozy local events, independent authors are reaching people in powerful and personal ways — and readers are eating it up.
Indie publishing has become a whole community. Writers helping writers, sharing what they’ve learned, supporting launches and shouting out their favorite reads online. Celebrating every new chapter—literally and figuratively. Whether online or in-person, indie authors are building networks full of creativity, support and encouragement.
If you’re a self-published writer local to the Bay Area and you're looking to share your work, meet new readers and connect with fellow authors, we’d love to invite you to this year's Indie Author Fest. Keep an eye out for more details coming soon.
Let’s keep building this indie movement—one story at a time."
SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — San Mateo County supervisors announced they will hold the first of three town halls Thursday to hear directly from parents and child care providers about what officials are calling a child care crisis in the county.“I am deeply concerned about the child care unaffordability in San Mateo County. We have a workforce crisis that starts in the crib,” said Jackie Speier, San Mateo County supervisor. “The cost for one infant can easily be over $30,000 a year. Many parents are forced to cut spen...
SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — San Mateo County supervisors announced they will hold the first of three town halls Thursday to hear directly from parents and child care providers about what officials are calling a child care crisis in the county.
“I am deeply concerned about the child care unaffordability in San Mateo County. We have a workforce crisis that starts in the crib,” said Jackie Speier, San Mateo County supervisor. “The cost for one infant can easily be over $30,000 a year. Many parents are forced to cut spending, dip into their savings, accrue debt, leave the workforce or move.”
In Silicon Valley, the high cost of child care is a significant concern. Annual care for one infant and one toddler can reach $59,900, surpassing the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in San Mateo County. The average annual cost for infant care alone is $31,200, which is more expensive than tuition at many private universities, officials said.
San Mateo County supervisors Lisa Gauthier and Speier said this is why they want to hear directly from parents, guardians and child care providers Thursday at the South San Francisco Library/Parks and Recreation Center located at 901 Civic Campus Way.
“Too many families are being left behind simply because they can’t afford child care,” Gauthier said. “And for the providers, the high cost of living makes it nearly impossible to keep their doors open. We have to find a way to support both sides, the families who need care and the workers who provide it.”
Thousands of San Mateo County families are on waitlists for licensed childcare, with an estimated 9,000 children lacking access. The county currently meets only 73 percent of the demand for licensed care, SMC officials said.
“We are witnessing families leaving the county in record numbers and birthrates plummeting,” Speier said. “When families can’t afford to stay, or can’t imagine raising children here, we lose not just residents — we lose the future of our communities.”
The high cost of living has become a significant strain on mid-county communities, impacting both families and the region's economic stability. A 2022 survey by San Mateo County Health revealed that 46.5 percent of residents had considered relocating due to this issue.
“As a grandmother, I’ve witnessed just how important and challenging child care can be for families in our county,” Gauthier said. “Many parents face high costs, long waitlists, or the tough decision to stay home because affordable care isn’t available. Others have been fortunate to find providers they trust. We want to hear from all families, your experiences and voices matter.”
A kids’ corner for potty-trained children age 2.5 or older will be available at the town hall, subject to capacity. RSVPs are required for those planning to bring a child. Please include the child's age.
“Child care is a crisis, and we need real stories to drive real solutions,” Gauthier said. “Your voice matters, and your experience can help shape change for families across San Mateo County.”
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