The American Institutes for Research (AIR) is synthesizing existing ELC data and collecting additional data to determine gaps and needs in subsidized ELC programs and related services in order to produce a statewide needs assessment to inform the state’s ability to target services to populations most in need and improve the system over time. The AIR is also updating its Early Learning Needs Assessment Tool (ELNAT), and key data collection practices are being integrated into existing systems and the Local Planning Council (LPC) contract to sustain consistent, expanded needs assessment capacity beyond the federal grant.

Building on previous efforts to develop recommendations for improving the state’s ELC system, WestEd is working with key stakeholder groups to synthesize existing plans, strategically engage experts and stakeholders to deepen and operationalize recommendations on several priority areas, and complete a detailed strategic plan that, upon implementation over time, will enable increased access to quality ELC services for children of diverse needs throughout California.

a) Create Parent Interface and Consumer Database—Informed by the charge in AB 2960, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is engaging stakeholders in the design of an integrated data system and parent interface to help families easily access services and programs. In partnership with the CDE and the SCCOE, the California Child Care Resource and Referral Network (CCR&R) is continuing its work on California’s Consumer Education Portal to ensure that parents have access to information on quality care and will simplify the quality care information search process.

b) Expand Families’ Access to the Information They Need—The Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) is engaging families through Parent Cafes to enhance parents’ understanding of their roles in their children’s development utilizing “Learn the Signs, Act Early” resources, and is partnering with the R&R Network to facilitate a state-level Parent Committee of ELC system beneficiaries to articulate parent perspectives on ELC and to engage in the development of the PDG Strategic Plan and other efforts.

c) Enhance Family Engagement and Strengthening—The Kern County Superintendent of Schools is expanding the Strengthening Families communities of practice with the State’s local resource and referral agencies to promote widespread training and utilization of the Strengthening Families framework.

d) Build Family Stories and Increase Local Planning Council Capacity—The LPCs are working with the AIR to collect the necessary data for the PDG Needs Assessment and to build their capacities to sustain consistent, expanded data collection beyond the federal grant and to utilize the results to more effectively ensure that local families have access to quality ELC services.

a) Streamline and Strengthen Quality Counts California—The BUILD Initiative is utilizing national expertise to facilitate stakeholder engagement to inform recommendations on how to position the state’s quality rating and improvement system, Quality Counts California (QCC), for broad scaling and for greater focus on responsive quality improvement that coordinates all of the CDE’s quality initiatives and that benefits the full continuum of ELC providers.

b) Strengthen Supports for Early Learning and Care Professionals—Working with the QCC Consortium and the Lastinger Center at the University of Florida, WestEd is piloting an online professional learning platform that integrates existing online tools and reduces duplication. This platform will eventually house coaching and trainer certification processes as well as online QCC communities of practice, to strengthen provider practice and to support local capacity building efforts.

c) Adapt Program for Infant/Toddler Care—WestEd is reviewing and updating the training content for the internationally renowned Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) and developing an online format to more efficiently train and support a broader range of the infant and toddler workforce.

d) Improve Offerings for Quality Online Educational and Professional Development Supports—The California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) and other partners are delivering complementary projects to improve offerings for quality online educational and professional development supports for the early childhood workforce.

e) Enhance Emergency Child Care Bridge–Best Practices in Trauma-Informed Care—The CCR&R Network is enhancing supports for the Emergency Child Care Bridge program by creating and disseminating resources on best practices in trauma-informed care to coaches and other professionals supporting ELC programs that serve foster children.

The Tribal Child Care Association of California is expanding its quality improvement system by creating a Peer Learning and Leadership Network that will promote mentoring, fellowships, training and technical assistance to increase leadership skills and content knowledge, in order to support the expansion of high-quality services in underserved areas.