Schools as Platforms for

Early Childhood Services

CHCFC’s Program for Integrated School and Community Solutions (PISCS), was funded by the Stuart Foundation to identify and determine the essential characteristics of “model” coordinated early childhood education, intervention, and childcare programs. The three reports written by PISCS staff and key partners are for Commissioners and staff members from the California Children and Families Commission and the 58 First 5 county commissions, leaders and service providers in the areas of education, health, and social services, and community partners engaged in early childhood efforts.

Reaching Back to Create a Brighter Future: The Role of Schools in Promoting School Readiness considers the historic opportunity in California for schools and school systems to expand their role in promoting school readiness by serving as platforms for the provision of comprehensive early childhood services. In order to provide school superintendents and staff, First 5 commissioners, parents and other various stakeholders with information they will need to support the creation of school-based early childhood programs and services in their communities, this report reviews promising practices from across the U.S. that are in the forefront of providing comprehensive school-based early childhood programs. Included is a compendium of forty-one sites from around the country that have successfully implemented comprehensive, school-based early childhood programs and services and highlights six promising programs in more detailed case studies.

Partnering Schools, Communities and Proposition 10: Financing Considerations for Early Childhood Initiatives explores strategies for financing school-linked early learning initiatives. The report is meant to help county agencies, school systems, and community organizations coordinate and expand their respective resources. The overall approach relies on partnerships and collaborations to meet the financing challenges faced by individual agencies and organizations working toward common goals. The current pressure on counties and commissions to engage in strategic short and long-term financial planning has lead to a number of reports focused on sustainable funding for First 5 programs and commission initiative. This publication provides a common framework to address the fiscal issues facing First 5, school districts, and early childhood programs, and offers a variety of options for financing new and innovative school-linked early learning initiatives for children and their families. It is hoped that a better understanding of financing challenges, opportunities, and strategies will help policy makers, community leaders, and providers to develop more effective and integrated early education services that prepare children for success in school.

School Involvement in Early Childhood Education and Support Programs: A Survey of School Districts in California is currently being finalized based on findings from a survey of school districts in California of early childhood education and support programs. It builds on the growing inventory of programs participating in early childhood services, with a specific emphasis on school-based programs and interventions. The report describes the methodology and results of surveys administered to school districts and individual school programs regarding the provision of services to young children. Included are questions on the types of services offered, the funding of services, the degree of integration, and specific questions relating to the role of and site experience with First 5. It is hoped that through qualification and quantification of early childhood services in schools, more informed planning can occur around logical steps in creating an environment that fosters school readiness. Furthermore, recognizing the current capacity and needs of public schools around these early childhood support issues will prevent service and planning gaps and duplications as we continue to build more comprehensive and integrated systems of care.

Click here to see Center publications from this program

For additional information, please contact Kimberly Uyeda, MD, MPH