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Faith-Based Child Care

Over 25% of licensed child care centers in California are faith-based. That is why they are attracting the attention of policy makers who are addressing the state's growing need for child care, especially in low-income areas.

Led by Kathy Cooper-Ledesma, who is associated with the Center for Religion and Culture, faith communities are developing strategies for expanding the supply of affordable, high quality child care. Their efforts are being financed by grants from First 5 LA and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

Los Angeles County Faith-Based Child Care Network
Mission and Contact Information
Newsletters

Focus on quality measures. Click for information about an ECERS training event, November 14, in Downey.

Legislation that expands state funding for preschool programs is signed by the Governor. Here is the text.

Here are principles that are guiding the development of Universal Preschool in California

The Center for Religion and Civic Culture receives grant from Packard Foundation to advance understanding of Universal Preschool among faith-based centers and associations.

RAND Corporation issues report which cites benefits of universal preschool.

First 5 LA
For information about First 5 LA's activities in advancing affordable, high quality child care and universal preschool in Los Angeles County, click here. For information about Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP), click here.

Child Care Resources
Organizations that provide financial support for playground renovation
California Council of Churches Child Care Resource Directory
California Council of Churches: Best Practices in After School Programs
California Council of Churches: Congregations Caring for Children (PDF)

San Diego County Universal Preschool news and events
For information about Universal Preschool education events in Orange County, click here.

Sacramento County Universal Preschool news and events
Click for information about a November 9 event (in Sacramento), where information about faith-based participation in the County's Universal Preschool program will be interpreted.

Faith-Based Child Care Associations
Los Angeles County Faith-Based Child Care Network
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Church-Related Early Childhood Education Fellowship (Los Angeles County. Contact Nancy Shiveley, 714-738-1541)
Jewish Early Childhood Education Association (Orange County. Contact Karen Juncker Albert 949-644-6563 ext. 217)

Publications
Faith-Based Adoptive/Foster Services: Faith Communities Roles in Child Welfare (PDF)
The Changing Face of Faith-Based Child Care in Los Angeles County (PDF)
And a Little Child Shall Lead Them:Communities of Faith and Preschool for All (PDF)