What is Santa Clara CARES? (Click Here to visit the CARES site.)
CARES (Comprehensive Approaches to Raising Educational Standards) is a financial stipend program designed to encourage and reward educational attainment for early education professionals. The CARES program was developed to address problems of compensation and incentives for early childhood professionals.  The program was based on research that says when caregivers are well educated and trained, the children they teach are more successful in school and in life. Research also tells us that many qualified and caring teachers leave the field because pay and incentives are low. CARES stipends are offered to encourage teachers to increase their education and stay in the field. The CARES system is based on educational attainment, professional development, and longevity in the field.  CFC is a CARES partner, assisting applicants through our PTRAC program.

How do I participate?
There are four community partner agencies located throughout the county who can help you gain access to the CARES program. Open a map of partner agency service areas here or download the application, tip sheet for filling out the application, and a schedule of application assistance clinics from the CARES site as they become available.

Parent Education and Quality Early Learning Opportunities (QELO)
Choices for Children collaborates with local School Districts, the Child Care Community and over 30 community based organizations, including FIRST 5 Santa Clara, to provide Parent  Education classes aimed at supporting and enhancing knowledge of early education with a focus on children newborn through 5 years.  In conjunction with the parenting classes, a child development enrichment program is offered to children whose caregiver is attending a class. Please see the calendar for upcoming offerings.

• Ages and stage of early child development,
• Health and Nutrition,
• Behavior Challenges,
• Kindergarten Transition
• Identifying areas of concern or special needs,
• Developing healthy family relationships, and
• Literacy

• Private professional growth advising for each staff member to create a customized plan for attaining a California Teacher Permit, upgrades, renewals and degree progress.
• Researching CARES stipend programs in each county to assist center staff in accessing extra funds
• Transcript review for purposes of attaining permits and CARES stipends
• Providing each CDI center location with current listings of all ECE classes available in the evenings and on weekends, online or other distance learning options for each semester, quarter and summer session for community colleges in Santa Clara County. Other CDI Centers in California regions can request research as well.
• Providing resource, contact names and numbers for community college ECE Departments and  4 year college Child Development Departments.
• Provide appropriate paperwork and permit application and CARES stipend clinics to assist staff through the application process.
• Assist staff w/ international transcript issues research appropriate agencies for assistance with evaluation

STEP-UP
The Supportive, Teaching and Educational Programs for Understanding Preschoolers (STEP-UP) Program, funded by the John S and James L Knight Foundation, provides the following activities and resources to those who care for other people’s children informally like a family, friend or and neighbor, in targeted San Jose neighborhoods:

Play N’ Learn encourages school readiness by building on knowledge and concepts learned at home through play based activities. These activities can easily be done with children at home with materials provided at Play N’ Learn sessions. Social emotional development is fostered through all activities. All children are welcome!

Mobile Lending Library lends  toys and materials in order to foster school readiness skills. Items that encourage learning for infants, toddlers & preschoolers include: books, music tapes, puzzles, blocks, art materials and more. 

Workshops, Networks and Resource Sharing Topics include Child Development, Behavior Challenges,CPR, First Aid, Nutrition, Health, Safety and Information about starting a Family Child Care Business.

Contact Kathleen Duppong, Kathleen@choices4children.org, 408-280-2320 or please see the calendar for upcoming offerings.

Partner Agencies make the difference…

• De Anza College, Office of Community and Civic Engagement, fosters  student involvement in community activities while integrating Family, Friend & Neighbor child care giving.
• Gardner Academy Professional Development School (SJUSD), Collaborates with and advocates for the Gardner Community as a Professional Development School.
• National Hispanic University (NHU), Coordinates Home Visitations by bilingual,  NHU representatives and offers a customized GED program especially designed for Spanish Speakers.
• San Jose Education (SJEF) Foundation, Actively connects with families by sharing resources through their Stepping Stones program.
• Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN), Empowers low-income immigrants and refugees through direct services, community education, leadership development and policy advocacy.

 

 

 

CPR & First Aid Training
CFC offers MEDIC FIRST AID's Pediatric CPR and First Aid for Children, Infants, and Adults.  This two year certification in CPR and first aid emergency medical response is intended for child care providers, teachers and parents. The 8-hour training is provided in an easy-learning, low-stress class environment with lots of confidence building and hands-on practice. Contact Michelle Scatena,  mscatena@choices4children.org, 408-835-5136 or please see the calendar for upcoming offerings.