CCCDS receives state and federal funding sources to serve families in need of child development services. 

1. Federal funded programs are as follows:

1. Migrant-Seasonal Head Start Program serves 1,350 (1,230 migrant & 120 seasonal) children ages six weeks through compulsory school age in the San Joaquin, Merced, and Stanislaus Counties.  A family wishing to enroll their children in the Migrant-Seasonal Head Start Program must meet four of the following requirements; age, migrant status, seasonal status, source of income, and income level.
2. Regional Head Start Program serves sixty children in Stanislaus County.   To be eligible a child must be at least three years old by December 2nd.  A child who turns three years old after December 2nd is eligible upon his/her third birthday and are income eligible.

2. State funded programs through the Child Development Division of California Department of Education are as follows:

1. State Based Migrant Program (CMIG) serves approximately 450 children ages according to center’s license in San Joaquin, Merced and Stanislaus Counties.  The family shall have earned at least fifty percent (50%) of its total gross income from employment in fishing, agriculture or agriculturally related work during the twelve month period immediately preceding the date of application.  Families shall also meet eligibility and need criteria.
2. General Child Care Program (CCTR) serves approximately 192 children ages according to center’s license in Merced and Stanislaus Counties.  Families shall meet eligibility and need criteria.  Contact the Stanislaus County Centralized Eligibility List (CEL) at (209) 238-6400 or the Merced County CEL at (209) 383-7147 to apply for this program.  Applicants will be contacted in accordance of priorities. 
3. California State Preschool Program Full Day (CSPP) serves approximately 214, four and three year old children in Merced and Stanislaus Counties.  Families shall meet eligibility and need criteria.  Contact the Stanislaus County CEL at (209) 238-6400 or the Merced County CEL at (209) 383-7147 to apply for this program.  Applicants will be contacted in accordance of priorities.

For more information on eligibility, please contact the centers.

Nutrition

Central California Child Development Services, Inc. (CCCDS) participates in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Care Food Program (CCFP), which helps us provide free meals to all children in the program.  CCCDS follows "The Head Start Nutrition and Wellness Policy" for meals, snacks, and in all food- related activities and celebrations. This policy is recommended by the CCFP to ensure all food is nutritious and follows the required guidelines of said program.

The food provided is USDA approved and prepared by qualified well trained staff.  Children are served nutritious breakfasts, lunches and snacks. 

Children with any food allergies or nutritional diseases can receive a proper foodsubstitution.  In such case parents must complete the required documentation.

Meals are served “family style”, and at least one staff person eats and talks with children at mealtime.  Mealtimes become learning experiences as children:

• Try new foods.
• Discuss where different foods come from.
• Talk about nutritional values of foods, and making healthy choices.
• Enjoy tasty foods.
• Develops skills by serving their own food and pouring their own milk.
• Practice good table manners.

Educational Program

The educational program provides activities for children that facilitate physical, cognitive, social and emotional development.  The program is developmentally, culturally and linguistically appropriated and is designed to enable children to develop to his/her fullest potential. 

All children enrolled are administered a Developmental Screening and a Social Emotional Screening within 30 days from the first day of attendance.   A developmental screening is a record of the child’s physical, language, social, cognitive and emotional development, which is used to determine the developmental level of each child. Further testing and referrals will take place with the parents consent as needed.

Teacher and parent observations are included as part of the child’s developmental plan.  Based on the developmental screening/assessment an individual educational plan is developed jointly with the parents.  Home visits and center conferences are scheduled to review the results of the screening/assessment/individual educational plan and to formulate goals for the child and family.

Each teacher completes an Activity Plan which addresses the child’s interest and individualized goals. If a child has an active Individualized Education Plan (IEP), the goals and objectives from the IEP must be addressed.

Infant/Toddler Care

An Infant/Needs and service plan is developed for all infants and toddlers are completed by staff with the assistance of the parent prior to the first day of attendance and updated quarterly or as often as needed.  The primary caregiver provides routine activities (arrival/health check, diapering/toileting, feeding, bathing, napping, departure) to meet each child’s individual needs.

An individual plan is developed jointly by the primary caregiver and parents and is updated monthly to reflect current developmental information.  Records are kept on individual bottle-feedings, nap times, meals, diaper changes and bowl moments.  These records are shared with the parents on a regularly basis. 

CCCDS has staff members that are certified trainers in the Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers (PITC), which provides specialized training in:

1. Social-Emotional Growth and Socialization
2. Group Care
3. Learning and Development
4. Culture, Family, and Provider

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Nineteen CCCDS centers are accredited by NAEYC.  This achievement is a nationally recognized mark of excellence in our early childhood programs.  NAEYC defines ten dimensions of quality programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.  Accreditation represents our firm and continuing commitment to high quality child care and family services.
The following sites have successfully achieved NAEYC accreditation:

Health, Mental Health and Disabilities Services

Our agency provides a broad range of medical, dental and mental health activities. These promote sound physical, social and emotional growth and development.  Complete health screenings are provided for infants, toddlers, and preschool children.  Parent health education teaches families how to seek help and care for their children’s health. 

All CCCDS programs provide supportive services to parents of children with disabilities. 
Head Start and State program staff works with local school districts to develop Individual Education Plans (IEP) for preschool children and Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP’s) for children under 3 years of age.  These plans comply with appropriate learning activities for children with special needs.  Head Start policy mandates 10% enrollment of children with disabilities.

CCCDS makes sure that all environments are accessible to children with disabilities and we comply with requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

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