Presented by Santa Clara County Office of Education.

All families in Santa Clara County should have access to quality early care and education (ECE) programs for their children. Unfortunately, countywide data indicate that over 28,000 infants and toddlers and over 6,500 children of preschool-age are without care due to lack of child care and preschool facilities. Addressing this issue will require thoughtful planning and strategic solutions.

The Santa Clara County Office of Education, in partnership with the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits, has explored possible solutions for ECE expansion that involve partnership between affordable housing developers and licensed child care providers – the family-friendly, affordable housing with co-located child care facilities model.

Event attendees will learn more about the County’s ECE initiative, better known as the Early Learning Master Plan, identify child care deserts, and develop a better understanding of the expansion barriers encountered by ECE providers. The presentation will conclude with a review of the lessons learned through strategic engagements with developers, city/community planning and development officials, and ECE providers. Best practices and resources for developing housing with co-located child care facilities will be provided.