Child Development Programs Provide Family Support
RCOE’s Children and Family Services Division offers a wide variety of federal and state-funded programs to young children and their families. Programs include Child Development Centers, Resource and Referral, Family Child Care Home Network, Alternative Payment, Head Start, and State Preschool. Parent education, staff training, technical assistance to providers, and community outreach are also a part of the division.
- Subsidized child care began at RCOE in 1974, and the Children’s Services Unit currently provides services to more than 10,000 children countywide in centers and homes. Parents who are low income, working, and/or attending school are eligible for the programs. Families transitioning from welfare are served through partnership with the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS). The state preschool program and subsidized child development centers serve an additional 1,400 children.
- Resource and Referral provides child care referrals for any family in Riverside County through a computerized geographically based program. Workshops, conferences, parent education, and child care capacity building activities are provided on a regular basis.
- Head Start began nationwide in 1965 as a comprehensive child development program for low-income children ages three to five and their families. RCOE began providing Head Start services throughout the county in 1973. Currently, the program includes Early Head Start for infants and toddlers. During the 2004-2005 program year, more than 3,300 children and their families received comprehensive services through 14 delegate agencies and 14 directly operated sites. This includes 3,248 children and 90 infants and toddlers.
- For many children, Head Start programs provide a solid foundation through developmentally appropriate educational opportunities that also promote social competency with the ultimate goal of school readiness. Youngsters learn and play in a nurturing, creative environment.
- Their families are also involved and included through family partnership agreements, support through parenting classes, opportunities to work in the classroom, and to participate in shared decision making that influences the program operation. By getting a good head start, children and families have a better chance of succeeding in coming years.