Local Planning Council Responsibilites

Early Childhood Council of Kern – Mandates
Education Code 8499.5

When legislation does not identify specific target populations or geographic areas to be served in allocating expansion funds, the CDD will use the LPC priorities for the purpose of allocating new state and federal funds within each county.  Priorities shall be submitted in accordance with Education Code, Section 8499.5.

 The priorities shall be identified in a manner that ensures that all child care needs in the county are met to the greatest extent possible. To accomplish this, the LPC shall do all of the following:

1. Elect a chair
   
   
2. Employ, as an LPC Coordinator, staff person(s) equivalent to at least one full-time position. The LPC Coordinator shall assist the LPC in meeting the mandates set forth in Title 1, Division 1, Part 6, Chapter 2.3 of the Education Code.  Additionally, the LPC shall employ support staff as deemed necessary to meet LPC roles and responsibilities.
   
   
3. Conduct an assessment of child care needs at least once every five years. The needs assessment shall meet the requirements specified in Education Code, Section 8499.5(b).
    
4. Document information gathered during the needs assessment which shall include but need not be limited to data on supply, demand, cost, and market rates for each category of child care in the county.
   
   
5. Submit the results of the needs assessment and the local priorities identified by the LPC to the County Board of Supervisors and the County  Superintendent of Schools for approval before submitting to the California  Department of Education.
   
   
6. Prepare a comprehensive countywide child care plan designed to mobilize public and private resources to address identified needs.
   
   
7. Encourage public input in the development of the priorities. Opportunities for public input shall include at least one public hearing during which members of the public can comment of the proposed priorities.
   
   
8. Conduct a periodic review of child care programs funded by the California Department of Education and  California Department of Social Services to determine if identified priorities are being met.
   
   
9. Collaborate with all interested parties, including but not be limited to subsidized and non-subsidized child care providers, county welfare departments, human service agencies, regional centers, job training programs, employers, integrated child and family service councils, local and state children and families commissions, parent organizations, early start family resource centers, family empowerment centers on disabilities, and local child care resource and referral programs to foster partnerships designed to meet local child care needs.
   
   
10. Facilitate community-based efforts to coordinate part-day programs including state preschool and Head Start with other child care and develoment services to provide full-day, full-year child care and development services based on guidelines and funding models approved by state and federal agencies.
    
    
11. Develop and implement a training plan to provide increased efficiency, productivity, and facilitation of LPC meetings.
    
    
12. Report significant activities and challenges quarterly and complete an annual self-review by November 15, and submit reports and the annual review to the California Department of Education, Child Development Division.                                                   

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