The Care Advocate Program plays a vital role in fostering and promoting high-quality child care services throughout California. Established in 1984 by the State Legislature, this initiative acts as a crucial bridge connecting child care licensing bodies with local communities. The core mission of the Care Advocate Program is to enhance the delivery of excellent child care by ensuring that resources and information are readily accessible to those who need them most.
What Does the Care Advocate Program Do?
The strength of the Care Advocate Program lies in its community-focused approach. Recognizing that each community has unique needs, the program tailors its activities to best serve local contexts. A dedicated Child Care Advocate serves as a central point of contact and information for a diverse range of stakeholders, including:
- Parents: Providing essential information to help parents navigate child care options and understand licensing regulations, ensuring they can make informed decisions for their children.
- Child Care Providers: Offering support and resources to child care providers, helping them maintain high standards and navigate the licensing process effectively.
- Employers: Educating employers on the importance of quality child care and its impact on workforce productivity, and connecting them with relevant resources.
- Educators: Collaborating with educators to promote best practices in early childhood education and integrate child care considerations into broader educational frameworks.
- Community Groups: Engaging with various community organizations to raise awareness about child care issues and build collaborative networks to support families and children.
Key Activities of a Child Care Advocate
To achieve its goals, the Care Advocate Program engages in a variety of community-based activities and specialized projects. These initiatives are designed to:
- Clarify the State’s Licensing Role: Act as a clear and accessible resource to explain the state’s role in child care licensing, ensuring transparency and understanding within the community.
- Disseminate Public Information on Child Care Licensing: Provide easily understandable information to the public and parents regarding child care licensing requirements and processes.
- Serve as a Liaison to Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies: Establish strong connections with Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies to create a seamless network of support for families seeking child care.
- Connect with Businesses and Educational Institutions: Build relationships with businesses, educational groups, and child care provider organizations to foster collaboration and shared responsibility in supporting quality child care.
- Support Community Capacity Building and Quality Improvement: Assist county governments and local agencies in their efforts to expand child care capacity and enhance the quality of existing programs, addressing the growing need for reliable and excellent care.
- Facilitate Complaint Resolution: Act as a point of contact for concerns and complaints related to child care, working to ensure that children in care are safe and well-supported.
The Care Advocate Program is an integral part of the Community Care Licensing Division’s Child Care Program, demonstrating the state’s commitment to accessible and quality child care for all California families.
Contact the Child Care Advocate Program:
Phone: (916) 654-1541
Email: [email protected]
For comprehensive details, refer to the CCAP Flyer.
Child Care Advocate Resources:
Note: In case of any discrepancies between English and Spanish versions, the English version is the governing text, as per Health and Safety Code section 1596.855(c).
