Santa Cruz County Child Care Planning Council

2005-2006 Committees

Preschool For All (PFA) Task Force

Chair: Sandy Davie

For Meeting Days/Times/Locations Please See Agendas and Minutes Page

Committee Goals:

I. Develop a better understanding of how other PFA programs have been cultivated. Identify problems/concerns and create solutions. Invite consultants from counties where PFA programs have been developed to speak to Santa Cruz County.
II. Develop an assessment of needs for care for 4 year olds
III. Expand to become a county-wide task force of all stakeholder groups.

Special Projects:

1. Panel Discussion on PFA Planning and Implementation: Current Efforts and Lessons Learned by four Bay Area Counties (10/27/05).
View handouts and PowerPoint presentations.
2. Public Forum: Proposition 82 Informational Forum with Assemblymembers Wilma Chan and John Laird (3/30/06).
View handouts and PowerPoint presentations.
3. View the Legislative Analyst Office's analysis of Proposition 82
4. View the USC California Policy Institute's analysis Understanding Universal Preschool from a Research Perspective.
5. View the National Institute for Early Education's Policy analysis of Proposition 82.

Policy and Local Planning

Chair: Larry Drury

For Meeting Days/Times/Locations Please See Agendas and Minutes Page

Committee Goals:

I. Participate and provide assistance for annual regional Legislative Forum.
II. Continue to provide education/information to elected officials regarding child care.
- a. Deliver an advanced copy of Needs Assessment to elected officials
- b. Monitor and respond to issues related to general plan and zoning as needed
III. Monitor and advocate for/oppose local and state policy issues

Special Projects:

1. View the Child Care Planning Council's 2006 Priorities Report: designated zip codes for future/expansion funds for child care centers funded by the California Department of Education. (pdf)
2. View a report recently produced by First 5 Santa Cruz County based on research conducted by Applied Survey Research: Geo-mapping Children's Vulnerability in Santa Cruz County. (pdf)
3. View websites with up-to-date information on current child care legislation, state budget concerns and advocacy opportunities

Subsidized Programs Consortium

Chair: Marilyn Moore

For Meeting Days/Times/Locations Please See Agendas and Minutes Page

Committee Goals:

I. Coordinate and broker full use of funded slots.
II. Centralized Eligibility List information and education
III. A) Involve state consultants from funding agencies
- B) In-house technical assistance and training on new regulations
- C) Protest unreasonable/unfunded new requirements (eg. Desired Results)

Special Projects:

1. View the Consortium's Statement of Purpose (pdf).
2. Every child care program receiving funds from the California Department of Education is required to participate in our County's Centralized Eligibility List (CEL). The local CEL is operated by the Voucher Project (Santa Cruz County's Alternative Payment Program). To find out more about Santa Cruz County's Centralized Eligibility List please visit the Santa Cruz Parents' Association Website.
3. View the 2006-2007 Staff Retention Program Plan (Also known as AB212) for CDE staff. (pdf)
4. View a list of State and Federally Funded Programs currently operating in Santa Cruz County by contract type and funding amount.

Workforce Development

Chair: Julie Edwards

For Meeting Days/Times/Locations Please See Agendas and Minutes Page

Committee Goals:

I. Create a position statement which is also an educational and advocacy statement about workforce development (problems and solutions).
II. Put together a forum of representatives of workforce development agencies/organizations- create a list of resources in the county.
III. Assist in development of CCAEYC annual conference to focus on professional development opportunities for providers.

Special Projects:

1. View the Work Force Development Position Statement: Early Childhood Education Work Force Development endorsed by both the County Superintendent of Schools and County Board of Supervisors.
2. Find out more about the Early Childhood Workforce Advisors' Collaborative, a joint venture sponsored by the Child Care Planning Council to bring ECE Advisors together to create a more seamless approach to professional development advising countywide. (pdf)

Comprehensive Quality Care: Special Needs, Infant/Toddler Care and Health & Safety

Chair: Linda Kishlansky

For Meeting Days/Times/Locations Please See Agendas and Minutes Page

Committee Goals:

I. Define Comprehensive Quality Care (Develop a Mission Statement)
II. Advocate for funding and develop trainings for child care providers of children with special needs.
III. Improve child passenger safety practices.
IV. Maintain focus on Infant/Toddler care and after care in light of PFA