BACKGROUND:
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Care and Development Division (CCDD) announced on November 21, 2022 the availability of General Child Care and Development (CCTR) program funds to provide direct services for eligible children as defined in California Welfare and Institutions Code (W&IC) Section 10213.5(i). Priority for providing direct services will be given to those applicants with infants and toddlers in underserved areas as identified by the Local Planning Council (LPC). The CDSS will allocate funding by County, based on a statewide comparison of need and resources. Need is established by data and will be determined by families at or below 85 percent of the state median income by County.
The intent of submitting the Expansion Funding Application is to expand full-day/full-year CCTR services to eligible toddlers. Based on the needs of the community, Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services is applying for a total of 48 slots in the amount of $1,712,195 at the following centers:
| Center |
Slots |
Zip Code |
LPC Priority for Infant/Toddler |
| Lavonia Allen |
16 |
94565 |
1 |
| Los Nogales |
16 |
94513 |
2
(1for preschool) |
| Fairgrounds |
8 |
94509 |
1 |
| Kid’s Castle |
8 |
94565 |
1 |
| Total |
48 |
|
|
Applying for this CCTR contract expansion aligns with the Community Services Bureau 2023 Head Start Program goal of adapting to the shift in community need for infant and toddler services and in light of the California implementation of Transitional Kindergarten. The Board approved the year-five Head Start and Early Head Start continuation grant application on September 20, 2022 (C.40). The continuation grant application proposed a slot conversion to include a reduction of 202 Head Start slots and increase of 50 new Early Head Start slots will result in the following program modifications:
- A reduction in class size of Head Start classrooms in an effort best meet the need of younger children as we enroll more three year olds; and
- The conversion of select classrooms from part-day, part-year to full-day, full-year to best meet community need; and
- An increase of 50 new Early Head Start slots to respond to community needs by increasing the availability of infant/toddler services.
Approval of submission of the expansion application in the amount of $1,712,195 will allow Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department to apply for and accept funds to expand services to toddlers for FY 2023-2024.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: (CONT'D)
If not approved, eligible Contra Costa toddler children will not receive General Child Care and Development Services.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
The Employment and Human Services Departments Community Services Bureau supports three of the community outcomes established in the Children's Report Card: 1) "Children Ready for and Succeeding in School"; 3) "Families that are Economically Self-sufficient"; and, 4) "Families that are Safe, Stable, and Nurturing" by offering comprehensive services, including high quality early childhood education, nutrition, and health services to low-income children throughout Contra Costa County.