This week, we honor childcare and
early education providers throughout the county. Childcare, provided by professionals,
friends and family, comprises a significant sector of our economy. The Local Childcare
Planning Council (LPC) is an organization that works toward increasing access to quality
child care and early education services throughout the county.
Siskiyou County has 10,620 children between the ages of 0-17 out of a
total population of 44,850. Nearly 31.7% of children between the ages of 0-4 live at or
below the federal poverty line. Quality childcare can make a significant difference in
readiness for kindergarten - in reading readiness, in understanding numbers and in the
overall physical and emotional health of a child.
A while back, I participated in a strategic planning retreat with the
LPC council. Their new action plan targets:
(1) Access to childcare – The LPC will identify areas of the
county in greatest need according to level of poverty, remoteness of community, numbers of
children compared to care availability, and type of care needed (infant, special needs,
off hours.) LPC will work in partnership with other organizations in helping to meet those
needs.
(2) Information on childcare services – The council will
continue to publish and distribute “Siskiyou Child Care, Early Education and Family
Resource Directory” and partner on a booth at the county fair. The Siskiyou Child
Care Council in Weed is also a good resource for referrals to local providers and child care assistance for low income
families. Please call 530-938-2748.
(3) Provider education and support in serving children with special
needs – LPC will develop and distribute a brochure concerning available support
services. Trainings will also be offered to providers.
(4) Provider training will be offered to address the needs of
cultural and ethnic minority children.
(5) LPC will work to
improve the knowledge, skills and abilities of childcare and early education providers in Siskiyou
County. The Siskiyou child care provider incentive program, or CARES (Comprehensive
Approaches to Raising Educational Standards,) offers a monetary incentive for
completion of certain college level class work in early childhood education. In the past,
these incentives have been available to family child care home providers, childcare
center-based providers, “license exempt” providers who are family, friends and
neighbors, as well as those pursuing a B.A. degree in early childhood studies. CARES stipends are offered to encourage providers to increase their education
and stay in the field. The CARES system is based on educational attainment, professional
development and longevity in the field. In addition, the LPC has collaborated with
the College of the Siskiyous (COS) to create a mentor training program and a model early
childhood school. Questions can be directed to LPC Executive Director
Emily Lacroix 530-938-6103
Research has proven the overwhelming importance of
experiences in a child’s first five years of life is shaping the capacity of that
child to become a well adjusted, educated and productive adult. Childcare and early
childhood educators in Siskiyou County should
be recognized for the great strides made in achieving new quality standards for their
industry. |
