Child Development Services
Anabel Garcia
Child Development Services Coordinator
Phone: 831.784.4200
Early childhood education services are delivered through several different program options, including half-day and full-day services. A lead teacher, assistant teacher, foster grandparent and parent volunteers staff each classroom. Early Learning Performance Standards require that the early childhood classroom program be developmentally and culturally appropriate for children and for families enrolled. In addition, parent education activities are provided to help parents support their children's development and education.
The Monterey County Office of Education's Early Learning Program is based on the premise that children share common needs, and that children from low-income families in particular, can benefit from a comprehensive developmental program to meet those needs. The Early Learning Program is a family oriented, comprehensive, and community based program to address developmental goals for children, support for parents in their work and child-rearing roles, and linkage with other service delivery systems.
The Early Learning philosophy rests on four basic principles:
- A child can benefit from a comprehensive, interdisciplinary program to foster normal development and remedy problems;
- Parents are the primary educators of their children and must be directly involved in the program;
- The well being of the children is inextricably linked to the well being of the entire family; and
- Partnerships with other agencies and organizations in the community are essential to meeting family needs.
Foster Grandparent Program
Foster grandparents are placed with children in Early Learning Program classrooms. The grandparents work four hours per day, five days per week, and receive a stipend from the Foster Grandparent Program. They are considered Early Learning Program volunteers and provide volunteer in-kind hours for the program.
For more information, visit the Seniors Council website.
Family Engagement and Special Needs Services
Isabel Valtierra
Coordinator
Phone: 831.755.0357
Community Engagement
Our community partnerships help to complete and complement the quality services which Early Learning provides. All Early Learning programs are funded 80% by the federal government to provide services to children and families. Each Early Learning program is required to generate 20% matching non-federal funds in in-kind contributions. This means we rely on donated services from local community members and partner organizations.
Family Engagement
All participating families develop a personal Family Partnership Agreement with assistance from Family Services Advocates. This agreement describes family goals, responsibilities, timetables, and strategies for achieving these goals, as well as tracking progress in achieving them. This collaborative partnership occurs early in the enrollment process and builds mutual trust over time. An initial home visit begins the relationship with each Early Learning family. Teachers and Family Services Advocates jointly visit the home of all enrolled families to begin an assessment of their needs. Early Learning coordinates with other programs to support the accomplishment of goals in their pre-existing plan.
Disabilities Services
Early Learning serves children with special needs throughout the County in partnership with MCOE Special Education and with the local school districts. This ensures children with special needs have the opportunity to receive educational services at regular Early Learning classrooms with the appropriate support according to their specific needs. A minimum of 10% of all children enrolled must be children with special needs.
The teachers perform multiple developmental screenings and assessments periodically during the year for early detection of learning problems. The Mental Health and Disabilities Services Coordinator ensures that every child with special needs has an Individualized Education Plan that covers the child's needs and that services are provided in a regular and timely manner. We encourage parent participation in the development of the Individualized Education Plan and help the parents to become partners in the provision of services for their children.
Mental Health Services
Because the mental and physical health of infants and toddlers is critically influenced by the daily behaviors of their caregivers, our goal is to apply our knowledge of personal, family, and social relationships to support and enhance healthy social and emotional development.