Calaveras Child Care Council

2001-2006 Strategic Plan

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

Congress enacted the Child Care and Development Block Grant and the Title IV-A At Risk Child Care Program in 1990 with the purpose of increasing the availability, affordability and quality of child care throughout the United States. In July, 1991, the California Department of Education offered funding to each county to establish a local child care planning council with the purpose of developing county-wide priorities for child care and development services needed by low income families.

In the early 1990's, the Calaveras County Local Child Care Planning Council (LCCPC), was established to develop local priorities for child care through the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). The Calaveras County Local Child Care Planning Council, now named the Calaveras Child Care Council (CCCC), continues to determine local community child care needs through the development of needs assessments and county-wide child care strategic plans.

The Calaveras Child Care Council is a collaboration of consumers, service providers, public agencies and other community representatives working together to assess and coordinate the delivery of quality child care services and programs. The 2001-2006 Strategic Plan is the first 5-year workplan adopted by the Calaveras Child Care Council, and represents many months of research, planning and assessment. The plan is anchored in three things: 1) the mission to"...support the success of all children, their families and the economy of our communities through the development of affordable, accessible, quality child care." 2) the vision that Calaveras County has " ...an inclusive, quality, affordable child care system that promotes healthy, successful children and youth", and 3) eight guiding principles:

  1. To be a well informed Local Child Care Planning Council that values teamwork, professionalism, accountability, diversity, personal and professional development, commitment and dedication, innovation and leadership.
  2. To respect and value the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual child and family.
  3. To focus the public's attention on the rights and needs of children.
  4. To bring into active collaboration all individuals and groups concerned with children.
  5. To promote a well qualified, well compensated core of child care and education professionals who care for children.
  6. To encourage continuous professional growth of child care and education providers.
  7. To commit to a high quality child care and education system that includes best practices, inclusion, diversity, parent involvement, and optional environments.
  8. To establish resources to help all parents access quality child care.

 

The 2001-2006 Strategic Plan was developed through a three-phase approach comprised of a Needs Assessment to determine major needs and assets within the community related to child care; a Strategic Assessment to determine the direction to take to enhance child care quality and access; and the development of an Implementation Plan, which outlines specific steps and accountability measures necessary to achieve desired results.

 

The Needs Assessment process revealed five primary areas of community concerns and issues related to child care that the Council is going to address; they are: a) Child Care Workforce Crisis; b) Extensive Use of Under-trained Caregivers; c) Affordability; d) Individual Needs in Child Care; and, e) Accessibility and Capacity Building. Within these five focus areas, the Council identified seven long term goals, which are statements of desired change over the next five years, and eleven objectives - short term, measurable changes that support the goals. The goals and objectives of the Calaveras Child Care Council 2001-2006 Strategic Plan are listed below according to the specific focus areas they address.

 

Focus Area A Child Care Workforce Crisis

Goal A. I

The supply of well-trained child care providers will increase to more closely meet the demand.

Objectives A. 1. 1

25% of all current child care providers will participate in professional development/growth activities.

A. 1.2

The number of CalWORKS participants trained and working as child care providers will increase by 25%

Goal A.2

Reduce the turnover rates of all providers by 50%

Objectives A.2.1

Create opportunities to increase overall compensation by a minimum of 5% for all child care providers.

Goal A.3

The supply of qualified substitute care for all care environments will be increased.

Objectives A.3.1

The substitute base within all care environments will increase by 50%.

 

Focus Area B Extensive Use of Under-trained Caregivers

Goal B. I

Through increased awareness parents will make informed choices regarding the placement of their children in child care.

Objectives B. 1. 1

The number of parents/child care consumers who understand the components and impact of quality care for their children will increase by 10% countywide.

Focus Area C Affordability

Goal C. I

Parents can afford to access quality child care.

Objectives C. 1. 1

Decrease the number of parents on the eligibility waiting list by 10% per year, beginning July 2002.

C. 1.2

One employer will initiate subsidized child care options for their employees.

 

Focus Area D Individual Needs in Child Care

Goal D. I

Child care providers can identify and respond to families' needs.

Objectives D. 1. 1

25% of all care providers will report increased access to training and increased overall ability to appropriately respond to the unique needs of children and families within three years.

Focus Area E Accessibility and Capacity Building

Goal E. I

The capacity of care in areas of priority will be increased.

Objectives E.I.1

Increase the number of infant care spaces in Family Child Care homes by 20%

E. 1.2

Increase the countywide availability of quality off-hour/non-traditional care by two providers,

E. 1.3

Increase the countywide availability of quality school-age options in under-served and/or unserved areas by two providers.

The intent is for this Strategic Plan to be actively used by the Calaveras Child Care Council and other organizations and planning groups to guide actions, inform decisions, and coordinate efforts among the various stakeholder groups. To ensure the best information is available to the community related to child care and the child care system, the Council will conduct an annual evaluation of the strategic plan and report the results back to the key stakeholders. By using the plan in this way, Calaveras County can improve the quality, affordability and access to care for children.