Rural Communities Child Care

Program Director – Teri Sedrick
Email:  [email protected]
Tel: 707-263-4688 ext. 10

Rural Communities Child Care provides childcare for low-income families and continuing education for childcare providers.

Brief Program Description: Rural Communities Child Care (RCCC) is made up of several programs to provide daycare for children from low-income families.

R&R - The Resource and Referral program provides free child care referrals to child care facilities and community resources and events, free information on starting and managing a family child care home business or child care center, toy and resource lending library for child care providers and parents. Specialized workshops are offered for parents and child care providers on family related topics. The program also provides a community resource directory and quarterly newsletter.

AP - The Alternative Payment program subsidizes childcare payments for eligible families who are working, in school or training or participating in a welfare-to-work activity.

CCFP - Child Care Food Program reimburses family child care providers who provide nutritious meals and snacks to children. Ongoing nutrition training is provided.

“In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.” “To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”

NET - The Family Child Care Network provides subsidized childcare services for eligible families who are working, in school or training, or looking for work. A select group of family childcare homes provide specialized early child development services and developmental assessments.

Who We Serve:  Children, families and child care providers through education, resources, and the promotion of quality child care services. RCCC provides advocacy for children, parents and child care providers.

Established: The program was established in 1975 and is funded through contracts with the California Department of Education, Child Development Division. 

Funding We Bring to Our Community: In 2013, our budget is approximately 4.7 million dollars. Since the program’s inception, we’ve brought more than 220 million dollars to our community.

How We Operate:  The role of RCCC is multifaceted with parents receiving case management services, children being enrolled in programs that support their growth and development, and the infrastructure of the child care community being strengthened.  RCCC provides a variety of direct services including individual conferences with families, determination of family eligibility, family needs assessment, assisting families with accessing services, referring families to other community resources, educating parents, maintaining eligibility lists, doing business with child care providers as independent contractors and providing technical assistance to parents and child care providers.  RCCC supports the family, the child, and the child care community through resources, subsidy and technical assistance.

RCCC staff takes pride in our work and our commitment to and responsibility for the children and families we serve. We strive to maintain a non-judgmental attitude in supportive relationships with each other and clients.  We believe in fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect, open communication and cooperation. We strive to practice healthy boundaries, separating work values, and balance these qualities with compassion, mutual support and flexibility.  We recognize initiative, self-discipline and positive attitudes as leadership qualities and strive to foster these qualities among all staff.

How Many People We Serve: Although it’s difficult to put a number on the families, children and child care providers that we serve due to the many resources we provide, RCCC is currently serving 512 families, which include 925 children through the Alternative Payment Program alone. There are 391 active child care providers providing child care to families enrolled on the Alternative Payment Program in Lake and Mendocino Counties.

CCFP is currently serving 672 children and reimbursing 66 providers for nutritious meals served to children while in their care.

Life Without RCCC: If this program did not exist we could only imagine the negative impact it would have within our community. Many children would be forced to stay at home alone and be in danger of harming themselves. An increase in Child Protective Service referrals would most likely occur due to the emotional stress on families that no longer have these services.

Without RCCC, working parents earning minimum wage would not be able to afford child care, even if they receive cash aid.  What this means is that parents would have to choose between basic needs; do their children attend child care or are they left home alone so the parent can afford rent, food and utilities?

Without RCCC, children may not get a healthy meal each day that they desperately need.