Santa Barbara County
Child Care Planning Council Organization

The Council
History
Current Membership
Membership Information

The Council operates under the authority of the County Board of Supervisors and the County Superintendent of Schools.

Funding for the Council comes from the California Department of Education, Child Development Division. The Santa Barbara County Education Office is the Council’s fiscal agent.

The Council has approximately 30 members who attend a monthly Council meeting and serve on a committee or Action Team. Committees are made up of current Council members but Action Teams include other interested individuals as well as Council members. The committees and Action Teams meet on individual schedules. To access these schedules click on Meetings. For names of Committee Chairs and Action Team Leaders click on Current Membership.

Descriptions of Components in Organization Chart

Purpose: This document is intended to provide brief descriptions of the function and role of the various components that make up the Council’s organizational chart.

The COUNCIL: The Council Mission is “to lead and collaborate in planning, coordinating and advocating for quality, affordable, accessible early care and education for all children and families in Santa Barbara County”. The Council is a state-mandated body established by and reporting to the County Superintendent of Schools and the County Board of Supervisors. (It’s duties, responsibilities and membership are outlined in detail in the By-laws.)

The Standing Committees: These Committees are made up of members only and subject to the Brown Act requirements.

1. The Steering Committee: shall provide leadership, financial accountability and policy recommendations to the Council. The Committee is authorized to act on behalf of the Council between regular meetings when necessary. Minutes of these meetings will be provided to the full Council and actions of the Steering Committee shall be ratified by the Council at its next meeting. The Steering Committee shall be composed of Chair, Chair-Elect, Vice Chair, Secretary/Treasurer, Past Chair, the representative of the Board, the representative of the Superintendent and the chair of each committee.
2. The Nominating/Membership Committee: shall develop a slate of officers, recommend candidates for membership and support membership operation. Members of this Committee are the BOS Liaison, the CSS Liaison and five regular members reflecting the composition of the general membership.
3. The Budget/Finance Committee: shall be charged with the implementation of sound fiscal management practices for the Council. With the Secretary/Treasurer, the Committee shall develop a proposed annual budget, oversee implementation of the Council financial policies, guide the Council on monetary matters, and review and recommend changes in financial policies and procedures. The Committee is chaired by the Secretary/Treasurer and members include the CSS Liaison (representing the fiscal agent) and at least two additional members.

The External Committees: These Committees are made up of both members and non-members and are subject to Brown Act requirements.

1. The Strategic Plan Committee: develops, updates and monitors implementation of the Strategic Plan for Early Care and Education in Santa Barbara County. The committee also works with staff on internal strategic planning for the Council.

The Strategic Action Teams: These teams are designed to be the action arm of the Council as it works with individuals and groups in the community, the Office of Early Care and Education, the ICC Coordinator and Council staff to implement the Strategic Plan. Membership is open and leadership will rotate. These groups are not subject to Brown Act requirements. (Note: As these teams become active, they may amend or add to the following descriptions of their scope of work.)

1. The Inclusive Child Care Action Team: was established by Children’s Resource and Referral (SB Family Care) and the Santa Barbara County Child Care Planning Council to develop a SB1703 funding distribution plan for Santa Barbara County. The goal of the Team is to increase the capacity of providers to serve children with disabilities in child care settings that meet their developmental needs. Special education personnel, community members, providers, and consumers are on the Action Team.
2. The Needs Assessment Work Group: works with staff to complete the countywide child care needs assessment as mandated by the State. The Needs Assessment is completed every 5 years. The first Needs Assessment was completed in 1999 and a new one is to be published in 2004.
3. The Public Awareness – Advocacy Action Team: is responsible for developing Council Talking Points and a Speaker’s Bureau of Council members to promote outreach to the community about the work of the Council. A schedule of speaking events is organized by the Team. The Team also supports early care and education advocacy by establishing and maintaining a protocol for responding to legislative issues that abides by Council By-Laws and Standing Rules, and by spearheading Council responses to legislative issues impacting early care and education.
4. The Program Improvement Action Team: was formerly the Program Improvement Consortium. When their state funding ended in 2001, the group was invited and agreed to become an action team of the Council. Members work to improve quality by ensuring the coordination of provider training and supporting parents to help them achieve quality care for their children. The Team provides support for the Office of Early Care and Education, particularly the Program Quality Improvement Project.
5. The Preschool for All Action Team: is made up of Council Members and staff who participate in the countywide Preschool for All Taskforce and the Regional Preschool for All Planning Teams in Santa Maria, Santa Ynez and Santa Barbara. Team members provide information and expertise for the planning activities and report back to the Council. The Action Team is also responsible for outreach to the community about preschool for all.

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