The Shasta County Local Child Care and Development Planning Council (Council), formed in 1997, identifies local priorities for child care and develops policies and plans to meet the needs identified within those priorities. The Council addresses child care needs of all families in the community for all types of child care including subsidized and non-subsidized care.
In Shasta County, as many as 27,000 children age 12 and under may need child care and 46% of those are eligible for publicly subsidized care, including licensed and license-exempt care. Demand for child care typically outpaces the number of spaces available. This is especially true for infant and toddler care available and the phenomena has been exacerbated by COVID. In response to these circumstances, members and partner agencies team up to develop annual priorities, aligned with a comprehensive countywide strategic plan, aimed at addressing the child care needs of Shasta County.
Annual reporting of council activities and membership occur at various times throughout the year. Reports are submitted to the California Department of Social Services.
The Council is required to submit the "Certification Statement Regarding Composition of LPC Membership" by March 15, 2023. This annual requirement certifies the membership criteria as mandated in AB 131 (Chapter 116, Statutes 2021, Section 260; Welfare and Institutions Code Section 10485 (2021)) is met. The County Superintendent of Schools and the County Board of Supervisors select members of the local planning council (Per WIC §10485(b)(1)). These bodies rely on the expertise of career early care and education professionals to provide the names of these representatives for appointment. Council membership must include representation from consumers of child care, child care providers, public agency representatives, community representatives, and discretionary representatives. Members serve two-year terms which may be renewed.
For any questions or clarification regarding the LPC, please reach out to the Shasta County Office of Education via their website, shastascoe.org, or by calling (530) 225-0200.