Contra Costa County Office of Education

The Contra Costa County Office of Education's Early Care and Education (ECE) coordinates the following programs:

Contra Costa County Local Planning and Advisory Council (LPC) for Early Care and Education

LPCs were created in 1991, through the passing of AB 2141, where each county was requested to create an LPC to establish priorities for Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funds.

With the fiscal oversight of the Contra Costa County Office of Education, the LPC’s mission is to promote quality childcare through community assessment, advocacy, workforce development, resource development, and collaboration with other organizations.

While language on governing LPCs is found in welfare reform legislation, LPCs are intended to identify and address the child care needs of all families in the community for both subsidized and non-subsidized child care.

The Contra Costa County LPC consists of a General Board (all members) and the following four sub-committees:

Advocacy Committee

• Inform and connect the public with local, statewide and national resources

Executive and Budget Committee

• Oversee use of funds and monitor compliance with CDE mandates

Project and Workforce Development Committee

• Promote coordination of services and collaboration with community partners
• Advise and oversee the implementation of AB 212 - Child Care Staff Retention Program

School Readiness Committee

• Oversee implementation and distribution of the A Road Map to Kindergarten© Guide; develop a business plan for the project

Quality Matters (QM) Campaign

A collaborated effort between the Contra Costa County Office of Education, First 5 Contra Costa and CoCoKids, the Quality Matters (QM) campaign supports and promotes quality early care and education for children age 5 and under in Contra Costa County.

Support and incentives are offered to child care programs and programs sites who participate in the Quality Matters Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) to encourage increased standards in child care. Programs are rated on their current quality and are assisted in ways to improve their rating. The voluntary program offers training, coaching, support and advising services.

For more information about the Quality Matters Campaign or QRIS please visit www.qualitychildcarematters.org.

Professional Development Program (PDP)

A collaborated effort between the Contra Costa County Office of Education and First 5 Contra Costa, with oversight from the LPC, to offer continued professional development opportunities, services and financial incentives (funded through the AB 212 Child Care Staff Retention Program and First 5 Contra Costa).

Recognizing that staff qualifications and education are essential to quality child care, PDP provides the necessary supports to state-funded programs and staff participating in the Quality Matters program. Resources include educational and professional goal development, advising, and child development permit processing.

For more information about the Professional Development Program, visit the LPC website, www.plan4kids.org/pdp/.

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