BACKGROUND:
The Department's Community Services Bureau (CSB) submitted a grant application to Contra Costa County Office of Education to receive funding to implement a Quality Matters program through stipends for the Balboa, Bayo Vista, Brookside, Crescent Park, George Miller-Concord, George Miller III - Richmond, Las Deltas, Lavonia Allen, Los Arboles, Los Nogales, Riverview childcare centers. Stipends will also be granted to childcare partners, Little Angels Country School and First Baptist Head Start - Fairgrounds. Stipends will be used to fund professional growth training for staff responsible for program implementation.
The stipends are awarded to child care centers to improve the quality services through enhanced professional development for staff and updated, improved site materials. The stipends will be given out on a per classroom basis. The site supervisors, under the direction of Community Services Bureau Assistant Directors, will determine what specific site materials, such as play equipment or educational toys, will be purchased.
Professional development stipends will be distributed to selected classrooms, not to individuals, to fund site-based training for classroom staff.
Selection of site award is determined by which sites have NAEYC (National Association of Education of Young Children) and/or PMD (Preschool Makes a Difference) designations. The CSB Director will make final decisions regarding stipend allocations. Allocation will be based on site designation, size of center population, and professional learning needs as determined through assessment.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If not approved, the department will not receive funding to implement Quality Rating System components.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
The Community Services Bureau of the Employment & Human Services Department’s Early Head Start program supports three of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes - Outcome 1: “Children Ready for and Succeeding in School,” Outcome 3: “Families that are Economically Self-sufficient,” and, Outcome 4: “Families that are Safe, Stable, and Nurturing.” These outcomes are achieved by offering comprehensive services, including high quality early childhood education, nutrition, and health services to low-income children throughout Contra Costa County.