By Ed Coghlan

When you consider the damage done to California by the COVID-19 pandemic, look no further than public education. The inability for students and counselors to be in personal touch is taking a toll on our students in the classroom.

For high school seniors, there’s been another challenge. Applying and paying for college. This year has been more challenging than most.

And that is part of what is driving an effort to get high school seniors signed up for California college financial aid by a March 2 deadline.

Report details the effects of paying Early Care and Education (ECE) workers wages that match qualifications

LOS ANGELES, CA — UNITE-LA, joined by the L.A. Partnership for Early Childhood Investment, today unveiled "The Economic Benefits of a Professional Early Care and Education Workforce in L.A. County." The UNITE-LA commissioned report, prepared by Beacon Economics, shows the effects of paying ECE workers wages they deserve and that match qualifications. L.A. County child care workers are less likely to rely on social services programs and more likely to invest in goods and services in their communities. Additionally, child care is critical to reopening the economy amidst the pandemic. Essential workers need access to child care and given the ongoing, pandemic-induced closures, their options are very limited.