Building and Expanding Child Care Centers
What is the ABCD Constructing Connections Task Force?
First 5 Riverside is strongly committed to increasing the capacity of quality childcare for children and families in Riverside County. One of the methods First 5 Riverside uses to address this important goal is the ABCD Constructing Connections Task Force. This task force consists of more than 50 professionals within Riverside city and county government, the childcare industry, and the fields of finance, economic development, and housing. First 5 Riverside led the formation of this collaborative effort in 2004, and received a Constructing Connections grant from First 5 California to support their work. The ABCD Task Force established a vision to substantially increase childcare capacity across the County by 2009. The goals of the Task Force focus on streamlining the process and procedures leading to construction, renovation and expansion of childcare centers in Riverside County and its 25 incorporated cities.
The Need: Childcare Demand Exceeds Supply
In rapidly growing Riverside County, the availability of childcare has not kept pace with new home construction and business development. The need is acute in communities where the cost of licensed, center-based childcare exceeds what many families can afford. Childcare establishes a foundation for future success in school, work and life. It also generates revenue in local communities and reduces absenteeism in the workplace. For parents, access to childcare is like access to roads and freeways. With access, they can get to work; without access, they are not going anywhere - impacting the financial health of families and communities.
Real Help is available through First 5 Riverside’s ABCD Constructing Connections Website
Tools are available here to assist providers in development and expansion of childcare centers. Help with financing, zoning and licensing is just a click away. The site is a project of First 5 Riverside’s ABCD Task Force, which, among other activities, is working with local governments to streamline the process of childcare facility development.
How Can You Sign On?
First 5 Riverside encourages professionals interested in increasing the supply of childcare in Riverside County to join the Task Force. For more information, please contact Anabel Bolanos at First 5 Riverside 951-248-0014.
This is a Manila site.