Community Resources for Children

Quality Counts and Early Learning Programs:Quality Counts provides information, resources, and coaching to early care and education programs, including centers, family child care homes and informal caregivers serving children ages 0-5. The program goal is to enhance the quality of child care programs and to recognize the efforts of early childhood professionals to provide quality early learning and educational experiences to the children in our county. During 2024-2025, there were 41 sites participating in Quality Counts serving more than 521 children. Participants of Quality Counts develop quality improvement plans, receive individualized coaching, and have access to an array of free professional development trainings. They are also provided with incentives and materials to support their programs.Our Early Learning Programs provide families and caregivers with resources, activities, and support to foster childrens growth and development. These programs emphasize hands-on learning, developmental screenings, and empowering parents as their childs first teacher. Programs include the Toy Library and Early Learning Center A safe and enriching space where families and early childhood educators can borrow educational toys and materials at no cost, helping parents model and replicate learning experiences at home; Active Minds & Learn & Grow Playgroups bilingual Interactive sessions that support cognitive, social-emotional, and school readiness development through play-based learning and exploration. Parents/caregivers are empowered as their childs first teacher through modeling and coaching from staff. They learn about their childs developmental stage, strategies to expand skills through engaging interactions, and ways to foster quality early learning experiences. Families receive resources such as books and activities to extend learning at home; ASQ Developmental Screenings Screenings using ASQ-3/ASQ-SE questionnaires, with personalized recommendations and resources to support each childs developmental needs. When concerns are identified, staff provide referrals to appropriate services and specialists to ensure families receive the support they need. Additionally we hosted two family events in FY2024-2025; Family Fun Day and No Sweet Trick or Treat - both events are designed to engage families in hands-on early learning activities they can replicate at home, with access to dental and developmental screenings in a family friendly environment. In 20242025, our early learning programs and community events served 375 children and 326 parents/caregivers, reflecting our commitment to expanding access to early learning and family support.Total expenses for these programs were $523,010.