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Planning Information
What are we doing and why?
Given the growing public support for universal preschool in
California, the First 5 Contra Costa Children and Families
Commission embarked on a planning process to develop the
Preschool Makes a Difference (PMD) plan
for Contra Costa County. The Contra Costa County Office of
Education, the
Contra Costa Child Care Council, and the Contra Costa County
Employment & Human Services Department are co-sponsors
of the planning process; First 5 provides staff support and
oversees the process. The goal was to develop a plan in anticipation
of eventual funding from the state.
What has been done so far?
One of our first activities was hosting a March 17, 2005
Forum with prominent national speakers to highlight the
value of preschool learning and the importance of establishing
linkages between the K-12 and early childhood education
systems.
The 30-member Planning Team - consisting
of representatives from the early childhood education community,
school district
personnel, community colleges, parents, and the three original
sponsoring agencies - steered the community planning process.
On June 2, 2005, we launched the community-based planning
process. Work Groups, consisting of over 80 parents, representatives
from the early education community (subsidized and private
centers, family child care, Head Start, advocates, parent
support providers), school district personnel (teachers,
principals and/or administrators), community college staff,
and advocates met for seven months to make recommendations
for the plan. Recommendations were developed in the areas
of governance, workforce development, program standards,
family choice and involvement, and serving the diverse needs
of Contra Costa’s families.
The four Work Groups were:
- Access/Facilities
- Governance
- Program Standards
- Workforce Development
The first draft of the
plan developed by the Work Groups was unveiled in early
2006, with opportunities for community
input in February and March 2006. A refinement subcommittee
then met for 10 months to review community feedback
and fill in gaps in the plan.
A revised draft was completed in March 2007 and the final
version was completed May 1, 2007.
What are the next steps for PMD?
We will continue to look for revenue sources to
enable implementation of the plan.
For more information or to get a copy of the Preschool Makes a Difference plan, please call First 5 Contra Costa at 925-335-9991.
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