Early Childhood Education

The San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) Early Education department offers quality education and child development services through center-based and home-based programs, provides support services for educators, and collaborates with partners and community organizations to improve the lives of San Joaquin County children and families.

Center-based services refer to programs that deliver education and child development services in a classroom setting. Classrooms are licensed through the California Department of Social Services, which monitors, facilities, and provides technical assistance. Staff engage in ongoing professional growth opportunities to stay up-to-date with current trends in early childhood education. In these programs, early learning and care providers offer developmentally appropriate educational experiences for children in environments that promote healthy development. A variety of program options are available to meet parent and child needs.

Head Start and Early Head Start

Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS) programs promote the school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families by supporting the whole child’s development. The HS and EHS programs offer comprehensive services that include health, social services, nutrition, and family wellness.

The SJCOE Head Start San Joaquin (HSSJ) program provides services through a partnership with local school districts and non-profit organizations, including the Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Joaquin County, Creative Child Care, Inc., Lodi Unified School District, and Stockton Unified School District. Funding for this program is provided through the Office of Head Start under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Contact: headstartinfo@sjcoe.net or (209) 468-4933

State-Funded Early Education Programs

General Child Care (CCTR) - In partnership with Creative Child Care, Inc. and Community Action Partnership – Kern, the SJCOE offers child development services for children from birth through 12 years of age, as well as older children with exceptional needs, in early learning and care centers and family child care homes. CCTR programs provide an educational component that is developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate for the children served. The programs also provide meals and snacks to children, parent education, referrals to health and social services for families, and staff development opportunities. The SJCOE received funding for this program through a grant from the California Department of Social Services.

Contact: Irene Hettervik at ihettervik@sjcoe.net or (209) 468-925

California State Preschool Program (CSPP) - CSPP offers both part-day and full-day early learning and care services using a core curriculum that is developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate for the children served. The program also provides meals and snacks to children, parent education, referrals to health and social services for families, and staff development opportunities. SJCOE administers the CSPP locally in partnership with Stockton Unified School District, Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Joaquin County, and Creative Child Care, Inc. This program is funded through a grant from the California Department of Education, Early Learning and Care Division.

Contact: Iren Hettervik at ihettervik@sjcoe.net or (209) 468-9295

Home-based services refer to programs in which a dedicated parent educator conducts weekly family visits to support and strengthen parent-child relationships and engage families around children’s learning and development. The parent educators use the Parents As Teachers curriculum to promote early learning, health, and family well-being. In these home-based programs, parents and children have opportunities to:

• • Participate in the Raising A Reader family literacy program
• • Connect with medical, dental, and mental health services to ensure that children are receiving the services they need
• • Receive screening and referrals to social services in the community
• • Receive support in achieving their family goals, such as employment or housing stability, continued education, and financial security
• • Attend parent education and socialization events

Head Start & Early Head Start Home-Based Services

Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS) programs provide home visitation services for families who are low income with children ages birth to five by supporting the development of the whole child by focusing on early learning, health, and family well-being. EHS programs also offer services to women who are pregnant by supporting healthy birth outcomes. The SJCOE’s Head Start San Joaquin (HSSJ) program is funded by the Office of Head Start under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and provides services through a partnership with the non-profit organization Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Joaquin County.

Contact: headstartinfo@sjcoe.net or (209) 468-4933

FamilyWORKs

FamilyWORKs provides home visitation services for California Work Opportunity and Responsibility for Kids (CalWORKs) families with children ages 0 to 5 (must be enrolled in the program prior to age 3) that focus on getting children ready for school success. This program only serves families that receive cash assistance through the San Joaquin County Human Services Agency. This program is funded through a grant from First 5 San Joaquin.

Contact: Olivia Ortiz at oortiz@sjcoe.net or (209) 468-4898

Roots of Readiness (Roots) – Home Visitation

Roots of Readiness (Roots) works closely with parents, providers, and teachers in six San Joaquin County rural school districts to facilitate linkages between early care, education, and kindergarten and promote a positive first school experience for children. The 18-month program provides tools that assist families with their child’s healthy development and encourage healthy attachments. In addition, families have opportunities to learn about eating healthy, being physically active, and managing the household budget. First 5 San Joaquin provides grant funding for this program.

Contact: Olivia Ortiz at oortiz@sjcoe.net or (209) 468-4898

Through a variety of programs and services, SJCOE supports early learning and care providers.

Quality Counts California (QCC)

The SJCOE leads the local Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) initiative, which brings together various projects and partnerships to increase the number of low-income children enrolled in high-quality state preschool programs that prepare those children for success in school and life. QRIS is anchored in a five-tier matrix designed to assess levels of quality and provide support for improvement in early learning and care settings. Professional development and on-site technical assistance support programs in achieving quality improvement goals.

CSPP QRIS Block Grant
Participating sites are assigned a coach who supports quality improvement efforts by working in partnership with teachers and administrative staff to design an action plan focused on building quality in three core areas: child development and school readiness, teachers and teaching, and the program environment. Action plans may include professional learning communities, on-site professional development, and individualized coaching. In addition, the CSPP QRIS Block Grant provides site-based QRIS block grants at quality rating Tiers 4 and 5 to help address the additional costs associated with reaching and maintaining high levels of quality. SJCOE staff provides training and technical assistance for programs at Tier 3 to help programs improve their quality and tier rating. This program is funded through a grant from the California Department of Education, Early Learning and Care Division.

Contact: Shadaneca Harbour at QRIS@sjcoe.net or (209) 468-4855

QCC Block Grant
The SJCOE supports local Early Learning and Care programs serving children birth to five to increase the number of low-income children in high-quality early learning settings. Priority is given to programs serving infants and toddlers. However, non-CSPP settings serving preschoolers, especially those with high needs, are also eligible to participate. Through this project, the SJCOE works to increase quality across the continuum of ELC settings ranging from family, friend, and neighbor to licensed family homes and centers. Not all participating programs receive a rating, and some choose to participate in the quality improvement system portion of QCC. As settings become ready, SJCOE staff support programs throughout the rating process. This program is funded through a grant from the California Department of Social Services.

Contact: Shadaneca Harbour at QRIS@sjcoe.net or (209) 468-4855

QCC Workforce Pathways
The QCC Workforce Pathways program supports increased learning and healthy development of San Joaquin County’s young children by increasing the number of qualified Early Learning and Care (ELC) professionals and increasing the educational credentials, knowledge, and competencies of existing ELC professionals across the county. The Workforce Pathways project ensures all participants meet with a professional growth advisor to develop and implement a professional development, professional growth, or education plan; supports ELC professionals in completing unit–bearing coursework and advancing along a degree pathway; and utilizes the California Workforce Registry to track and promote the education, training, and experience of the early care and education workforce for the purpose of improving professionalism and workforce quality to positively impact children. This program is funded through a grant from the California Department of Social Services.

contact: Irene Hettervik at ihettervik@sjcoe.net or (209) 817-8098

California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN)

The California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN) was established in 2004 as the California Department of Education Early Learning and Care Division’s professional learning system. Through statewide and regional communities of practice and a series of professional learning experiences, CPIN instructors provide research-based teaching and learning strategies that are age and developmentally appropriate and highlight inclusive practices and support for all children. The CPIN supports administrators, teachers, early learning leaders, coaches, early care education providers, and local education agencies serving California‘s pre-kindergarten and transitional kindergarten children, including dual language learners and individuals with disabilities. The CPIN is funded through a grant from the California Department of Social Services.

Contact: Atiya Wali CPIN@sjcoe.net or (209) 468-4939

Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program (IEEEP)

The Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program (IEEEP) promotes increased access to high-quality early learning and care programs for children with disabilities and other exceptional needs, including children with severe disabilities, and children receiving subsidized care. As part of the IEEEP program, early care classroom teachers participate in professional development and receive coaching support. This allows for a universal design for learning and individualized support that benefits all children in the classroom. Moreover, as inclusive opportunities increase, young children gain a better understanding of disability and diversity concepts. The IEEEP program is funded through a grant from the California Department of Education, Early Learning and Care Division.

Contact: Katy Downs-Stroh at kdownsstroh@sjcoe.net or (209) 468-5983

Through various collaborations and partnerships with community organizations, the SJCOE convenes and empowers stakeholders interested in improving the lives of children and families in San Joaquin County to take action.

Children’s Services Coordinating Commission (CSCC)

The Children’s Services Coordinating Commission (CSCC) receives local, state, and federal funding to address issues facing at-risk families and reduce child abuse incidences within San Joaquin County. Child abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment programs are implemented through collaboration with community partners, which offer a wide range of services to families in need of assistance.

Contact: Aniie Merrill amerrill@sjcoe.net or (209) 817-8197

Council for Quality Education and Care of Children (CQECC)

The Council for Quality Education and Care of Children (CQECC) is the local planning council. The CQECC promotes the development of quality childcare and preschool programs through advocacy efforts, the completion of a countywide Child Care Needs Assessment, community outreach, and collaboration in the development and distribution of a comprehensive resource directory of services for children and families. The CQECC is funded through a grant from the California Department of Social Services.

Contact: Aniie Merrill amerrill@sjcoe.net or (209) 817-8197

Raising Quality!

Raising Quality! is a quality rating improvement system for early care and education programs in San Joaquin County. Through collaboration with First 5 San Joaquin and Family Resource and Referral Center, the SJCOE helps improve child care in our community by emphasizing the value of quality in early care and education; empowering parents to make well-informed decisions about the quality of care their children receive; giving child care providers valuable tools for improving their programs and establishing uniform standards of excellence in early care. The program is voluntary and open to early learning and care programs, public or private, serving children ages 0-5. Raising Quality! Provides many opportunities for programs to develop, including financial support for quality improvement activities, training and technical assistance, and scholarships for Early Childhood Education coursework.

Contact: Shadaneca Harbour at QRIS@sjcoe.net or (209) 468-4855