Current census data make clear that California's poor are poorer today than they were 10 years ago. In particular, data indicate that single working women with children earn less than working, married women with children. Because California's state-subsidized day care system directs programs to enroll children on the waiting list who are from families of lowest income, it can be concluded that subsidized programs are serving poorer families than were enrolled in the late 1970s. Deeper poverty suggests that ancillary aspects of day care programs, such as meals, health and dental care, and support services for parents, have become increasingly important to children. Provision of such services makes increasing demands on staff time and program resources. The reduction in availability of services from the federal and local governments complicates the problem. It is concluded that demands for child care services will remain high throughout California for the forseeable future, and that a significant part of the demand will be for either inexpensive or subsidized care. Facts that child care advocates should make clear to policy makers are pointed out. Objectives and activities of the Children's Roundtable Project of the California Children's Council are described and Roundtable participants are listed. (RH)