| The California Children and Families Commission has allocated $200 million over the next four years to implement School Readiness Programs across California. Locally, we will receive nearly $4 million in matching funds to improve the ability of families, schools and communities to prepare children to enter kindergarten ready to learn. These funds will target communities located in elementary school attendance areas of low performing schools (e.g., schools where Academic Performance Index ranks in the lowest three deciles.) There are 31 eligible schools in Contra Costa County, located in the West Contra Costa, Mt. Diablo, Antioch, and Pittsburg School Districts. With its incentive matching funds, Contra Costa County School Readiness Funds will support quality district- and school-linked programs for children (ages birth to 5 years) and families in five major areas: Proposals will be designed, written, administered, and governed in collaboration with parents, providers, community partners, and district and school staff in the eligible districts. Each district’s School Readiness Plan will build upon the strengths of the community, restructure and coordinate the delivery of services, and engage committed partners to insure program sustainability. The Commission will submit its first of several district School Readiness proposals September 15, 2002, beginning with Mt. Diablo Unified School District. School Readiness programs will build upon other strategies funded by the Commission: - Family Resource Learning Centers
- Early Childhood Mental Health Services
- Early Education
- Home Visitation
All School Readiness efforts will address Contra Costa’s cultural and linguistic diversity, in addition to issues for children with disabilities and other special needs. |