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Early Learning

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Early Learning

Within the Whole Child Programs Division of ACOE, the Early Learning Department is dedicated to creating a cohesive early learning system that spans birth-3rd grade, connects early learning programs with TK-12 school systems, and aims to narrow the opportunity gaps for our youngest learners. We partner with Alameda County early learning leaders to focus on three areas: Early Learning Planning and Strategic Partnerships, System and Program Quality & Improvement, and Early Learning and Care Workforce Pathways and Professional Development.

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What We Do

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What We Do

Planning & Partnerships

Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Planning and Implementation - ACOE helps with setting up preschool and Transitional Kindergarten (TK) programs in California. They also lead a network focused on improving early education, provide training for early education teachers, and work with First 5 Alameda to start a study on how ready kids are for kindergarten.

Alameda County Early Care & Education Planning Council (Local Planning Council - LPC) - Every county in California has a state mandated Local Planning Council (LPC) funded by the California Department of Education. The County Child Care Planning Council operates under the authority of the County Board of Supervisors and the County Superintendent of Schools. The overarching responsibility of the Council is for planning and coordinating early care and education services across the County.

 

Universal Pre-Kindergarten Mixed Delivery Planning Grant (UPK Mixed) 

We work together with the LPC, local education agencies, and resource and referral agencies to create connections and plans to make sure all children can access different preschool options, like public schools, private schools, Head Start, and family child care. By working together, the grant aims to meet community needs, improve program quality, and help families find and enroll in preschool programs that suit them.

 

 

 

Quality & Improvement:
Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program (IEEEP) 

We help schools include children with disabilities and special needs in early education programs.We do this by providing training for staff, helping schools get special equipment, and supporting building or renovating facilities to be more accessible.

 

State Preschool Program Quality Rating & Improvement (QRIS)
System Block Grant (CSPP - QRIS) 

This grant is provided to improve and/or maintain California State Preschool Programs (CSPPs) in Alameda County. Its goal is to help low-income children get high-quality early education, which sets them up for success. Programs are rated based on the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). The grant helps top-rated programs (Tiers 4 and 5) cover the costs of staying high quality. For lower-rated programs (Tiers 2 and 3), it provides training and support to help them improve their quality and ratings.

 

Workforce Pathways & Professional Development: Workforce Pathways 

This program gives financial rewards to early childhood educators in Alameda County for completing training, college courses, and obtaining or updating their child development permits and degrees. Educators get advice and support during this process. By participating, they improve their skills and knowledge, which helps raise the quality of education and care they give to children.

 

Early Education Teacher Development Grant (EETD) 

This grant supports districts to increase the number of fully qualified teachers for California State Preschool Programs (CSPP) and Transitional Kindergarten (TK). Funds are used to help early educators access required coursework and/or attend professional development to improve teachers’ skills in areas like fostering inclusion, understanding trauma, supporting multilingual learners, and/or creating an anti-bias curriculum.

Community Partners

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Contact Us

My Nguyen-Soy, M.A.My Nguyen-Soy, M.A.
Program Manager, Early Learning
(510) 670-4190
mnguyensoy@acoe.org

 

Crystal Turner, M.S.Crystal Turner, M.S.
Program Manager, Early Learning
(510) 670-4238
cturner@acoe.org

 

Lucero Irizarry, M.A.Lucero Irizarry, M.A.
Program Manager, Early Learning (LPC)
(510) 670-4594
lirizarry@acoe.org

 

Alondra BriseñoAlondra Briseño
Administrative Assistant
(510) 670-4213
abriseno@acoe.org

 

Caroline ChristmanCaroline Christman
Project Specialist
(510) 670-4554
cchristman@acoe.org