In partnership with California Health and Human Services, the California Department of Education will utilize PDG-R funding to increase the support and capacity for family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) providers, family child care providers, and home-visiting providers to provide quality care for underserved populations, particularly infants and toddlers and low-income children and families living in rural and isolated communities and/or experiencing trauma stemming from homelessness, disasters, or other sources.

This project will be implemented through increased allocations, or sub-grants, to the local QCC consortia throughout the state. In developing their plans for more effectively supporting family child care providers, FFN providers, and home visitors, the consortia will need to ensure these providers are equipped with tools such as adverse childhood experience screenings, early childhood mental health consultation, and other trauma-informed care supports. Additionally, the consortia will need to plan for ensuring smooth transitions from early learning and care to TK–12 and address the needs of children and families eligible for but not serviced by existing programs.