2017-18 Public Policy Priorities

The California Child Development Administrators Association (CCDAA) provides and develops leadership and education that supports publicly funded early care and education programs for children from birth to age 13 and their families.

CCDAA was formed in 1943 for mutual technical support for administrators of children’s programs, and in the late 1940s to advocate and lobby for the continuance of state funded child care programs that were created during World War II. In the 1970s, CCDAA supported legislation to add new delivery models and funding for early education programs.

Over the years, CCDAA has continued to provide leadership and technical assistance to the early education field through:

FUNDING: Increases in funding, accounting for regional differences, to provide resources and training for staff in early education programs to ensure the highest quality education and school readiness to children and families.

ACCESS: Increase access for low-income families who need quality early education programs by adding spaces and maintaining the income eligibility level (SMI level). Minimize contract restrictions to allow diverse agency to apply for expansion funding and allow funding flexibility for agencies to serve multiple age-groups to meet the needs within their communities.

PARTNERSHIP: Create and improve partnerships with the California Department of Education, the Department of Social Services, First 5’s and other partnering organizations to narrow gaps between state policies and the programs implementing these policies and to streamline administrative burdens.

QUALITY: Improve systems to increase quality standards of early education programs. Address and solve problems within state policies and procedures to increase efficiencies in basic health and safety for children, and support additional quality activities in the State.

California’s economic success and viability rely upon a comprehensive early care and education system that includes a local, diverse delivery system.

Funding

1. Funding for all subsidized Early Childhood Education programs, reflecting cost of care, allowing increased access for families
2. Restore programs that have not been made whole from the cuts made during the great recession
3. Establish a system of Rate Regionalization accounting for countywide difference, moving towards a single reimbursement rate
4. Fiscal consolidation of SACS code for CSPP and CCTR wrap
5. Promote and increase funding to infant/toddler care for families

Access

1. Contract flexibility to reduce administrative technicalities in moving funds between age groups and program types
2. Establish a methodology to determine the unmet need in the state of California

Partnership

1. Facilitate Teacher Permit Matrix changes to meet the needs of subsidized ECE programs

Quality

1. Facilitate Title 5/22 changes to maintain basic health and quality standards for all children in California Administrative

Advocacy

• Maintain an active policy role with administrators at EESD, EXLD, CD Fiscal, DOF, Community Care Licensing, and First 5’s – Including regulations and clarifying standards and requirements for state funded ECE programs, including CCDBG Health and Safety Standards.