Providing leadership for the assessment, development and sustainability of quality
early care and education and school age extended learning options in Santa Cruz County.

Welcome

Santa Cruz County Child Care Planning Council Mission

To provide leadership for the assessment, development and sustainability of quality child care, early education, and school-age extended learning options in Santa Cruz County.

The Child Care Planning Council

Every county in California has a state mandated Child Care Planning Council funded by the California Department of Education. The Santa Cruz County Child Care Planning Council operates under the authority of the County Board of Supervisors and the County Superintendent of Schools. The overarching responsibility of the Council is for planning and coordinating early care and education services in Santa Cruz County.

How to Get Involved and Join the Planning Process!

The Child Care Planning Council invites all citizens of Santa Cruz County to get involved by attending Planning Council meetings or by joining a standing committee.

View Our Meeting Schedule

Meeting agendas and minutes and meeting schedule can be viewed here.

Current News

Projects of the Child Care Planning Council:

View the recently released Santa Cruz County Child Care Planning Council’s Annual Report for 2007-2008.

View the recently developed Professional Development Planning Toolkit for Early Care and Education Advisors, Students and Professionals.

Planning for the 2009 Central Coast Early Care and Education Conference began in September, 2008. View the Agendas and Minutes page for details on meeting times and locations.

The Planning Council has drafted a new Five Year County Master Plan for Early Care and Education and School Age Extended Learning. View the new Master Plan.

Functions of the Child Care Planning Council

  • Conducts a five-year Needs Assessment and from that assessment, creates a Master Plan for child care and early education in the County. See the Reports page of this site for the latest Needs Assessment and Master Plan.
  • Based on annual data collection and analysis, develops a Priorities Report for child care expansion funding from the state (pertains state subsidized programs only).
  • Considers request for letter of support (both grant and non-grant). Download a request form for a non-grant related letter of support. Download a request form for a grant related letter of support.
  • Meets periodically with local and state elected officials to inform them of the early care needs of Santa Cruz County's children and families.
  • Hosts a variety of working committees designed to address current challenges and opportunities in the field of Early Care and Education and School Age Extended Learning.
  • Advocates for family and child care friendly policies locally, state wide and on the national level.
  • Engages and educates the public on issues relevant to Early Care and Education and School Age Extended Learning programs.

Click here for a list of commonly used Child Care Planning Council acronyms and terms.

Current Funding Opportunties

Current CA Dept of Education Funding Opportunities:

Child Care Facilities Revolving Fund --General Facilities Application

ARRA Facilities & Energy Funding Opportunities