Our Work
We’re investing in a better future through long-term, holistic solutions for children, families, and communities.
Supporting children, families, and the communities they call home
To ensure that every child in Alameda County—regardless of race or family income—gets a strong start in life, we need to think about every aspect of their lives and needs. For us to make sure young children can do well, we need to consider everyone and everything they rely on. We call this a “whole child, whole family, whole community” approach. It requires holistic partnerships and systems collaboration that not only offer programs and services that support families, but also make sure they have health care, quality child care and education, access to good jobs, and a fair shot at getting ahead. Together, we are moving from a patchwork system of services to an integrated system of care that gives all young children an opportunity to thrive.
Systems building means identifying and addressing root causes
Context
We are building an equity-centered early childhood system
Components
Establish high-performance programs and services that produce results for children and families
Connections
Create strong linkages across system components that further improve results for children and families
Infrastructure
Develop the supports and systems needed to function effectively and with quality
Scale
Ensure a comprehensive system is available to as many people as possible
Early childhood systems building is the ongoing process of improving these five areas. Our work seeks to build coherence between these five areas so that the infrastructure, programs, and sectors of early childhood operate more as a whole. The results of our systems work: program effectiveness, equity, coherence, and sustainability — with the ultimate outcome of benefiting children and families.
A future where all children are ready for kindergarten
Decades of research show that the period from birth to age 5 is the most critical for a child’s future. Everything that happens in those first five years determines whether a child begins kindergarten ready, or whether they fall behind. Children’s success and readiness as they begin school can predict how they do in school later on, and even their life success as an adult. We’re committed to evolving Alameda County’s early childhood system and strengthening support for children, families, educators, and communities.
We are building a system of support for Alameda County’s kids and families
We use a Place, People, and Policy framework to guide our work.
Place
We are working together with communities to make sure neighborhoods are safe, livable, and kid-friendly.
People
We ensure communities and families have the resources they need for children to thrive—including basic needs like health care, food, housing, and services that support job success, good family relationships, and positive mental health.
Policy
We advocate for policy changes that help children and families to thrive. We work with child care providers, community-based organizations, and families to make sure their needs and priorities come first. We advocate for policies, programs, and services that help young children and everyone they rely on.
What we do
Fund
We fund organizations and initiatives that work to help young children and their families in ways that are community-based and focused on helping those in greatest need.
Partner
We partner with parents, child care providers, community organizations, and public agencies to build the best early childhood system for Alameda County.
Administer
We administer programs for young children that offer tangible services like family resource navigation, access to affordable child care, pediatric care and coordination, and provider training.
Advocate
We advocate for effective public policies and programs grounded in racial equity and justice.
Our strategies + initiatives
Family
Effective early childhood systems engage parents and caregivers as leaders and connect them to resources that support their children’s well-being.
Examples of our family-oriented initiatives include Parent Partnership and the Alameda County Fathers Corps, which support programs, events, and classes that support, listen to, and honor fathers and all parents.
Neighborhoods
A healthy childhood starts at home, in thriving neighborhoods.
Examples of how we support neighborhoods in becoming child and family friendly include the Neighborhoods Ready for School (NRFS) initiative, which makes sure the people who most often miss out on services and support have what they need for their children to be safe, healthy, and ready to learn.
Health & wellbeing
Children’s health and healthy development depends on culturally competent care, and teamwork among the doctors, specialists, and teachers who all work with the same child. for children’s health and development.
Examples of our health-oriented efforts include Project DULCE and Help Me Grow, which help families access resources and tools for healthy development.
Learning & care
Effective early childhood systems include support for early care and education professionals, child care providers, and teachers. This includes coaching, training, professional development, and technical assistance.
Examples of our learning-and-care-oriented efforts include First 5 Alameda trainings that share best practices for professionals working with young children in mental health, early education, health, family support, and administration.
From focusing on the child alone, to also focusing on the experiences and environments that surround them. Investing in the local early childhood system is investing in a better future for all.
Stories of progress
We would want anyone working with children to be healthy and supported and as present with children as they possibly can be. We have to provide the conditions for them to do so.
Dr. Lea Austin, Center for the Study of Child Care Employment at UC Berkeley