“We want a community of leaders, to build unity and strength within the early  childhood community,” says Tamara Dobson, California Child Development Corps participant, Riverside Family Child Care Association President, and owner of Dobson Christian Preschool and Child Care. “Involvement in the Corps has made us really aware of the statewide funding loss.  This is a time to unite and bring in new funds.  We see ourselves as leaders and have to do our part.  We all need each other.”

Riverside Corps participants—as leaders of the Riverside Family Child Care Association—are bringing together family child care providers throughout the county to work on shared goals.  Despite the tough economic climate, the group received funding for an upcoming leadership summit and is seeking funds to help providers offer Early Head Start programs.

“Improving care for children”

At the Leadership Alliance Summit (Sept. 19), “we will go over different types of leadership [as well as] business practices, stress relief, nutrition, how to communicate with parents,” says Dobson.  “We will be educating family child care providers about health and safety to reduce the number of licensing [problems].  This will definitely help new providers improve care for children.” Dobson has been a family child care provider for eight years, and Corps participant and Association President for more than two years.

“Promoting school readiness”

“We’re trying to include family child care providers in Early Head Start, because we serve a lot of infants and toddlers,” says Dobson. “Providing [these] services will help providers promote school readiness and build stronger relationships with parents.  It [would] definitely assist parents with their child care needs.” Early Head Start provides a range of services for families of children under three, including early care and education for children and home visits.

Dobson, in her role as President of the Riverside Family Child Care Association, has written a proposal for federal funds to help providers meet Early Head Start standards.  The proposal focused on the need for additional early childhood spaces for low-income families.  Family child care providers plan to collaborate with community agencies, who would do parent outreach. 

Announcements

• Saturday, Oct 17: Don’t miss the California Child Development Corps’ annual meeting and training! Build leadership in your county. Make sure your county leaders are connected to statewide policy and advocacy. Reserve space now for up to five teacher and provider representatives from your county.
  
  
• Corps participants around the state are experiencing impacts from the budget cuts and changes in First 5 funding. Let us know how you and your programs are impacted. Call us today.
  
  

For more information, contact:

• Alameda:  Marva Lyons, 510-521-3997
  and Margaret Costello-Chevis, 510-226-9414
  
  
• Butte: Jennifer Ferrini, 530-893-2443
  
  
• Contra Costa: Donna Daly, 925-833-0834
  
  
• Humboldt: Danielle Koren, 707-443-2497
  
  
• Los Angeles: Catherine Scott, 562-572-9939
  
  
• Riverside: Tamara Dobson, 951-340-3186
  
  
• San Diego: Katy Kenshur, 760-436-3725
  
  
• San Francisco: Valentina Feldman, 415-861-5361
  
  
• San Joaquin: Bettina Engleman, 209-601-9467
  
  
• San Mateo: Silvia Espinoza, 650-359-4675
  
  
• Santa Barbara: Christine Fleenor, 805-937-0675
  
  
• Shasta: Carol VonBrandt, 530-365-1931
  
  
• Solano: June Regis, 707-439-0876
  
  

If your county is not listed above, contact Sara Hicks-Kilday at cares@caccwrc.org, 415-808-7327. For Spanish, contact Teresa Calle-Streicker, 415-821-7871.