This week, Governor Newsom released the
Master Plan for Early Learning and Care. The Master Plan is
the result of more than a year of collaboration between the
California Health and Human Services Agency, researchers, and
other stakeholders. This framework outlines a vision for
California to achieve a comprehensive and equitable early
learning and care system by 2030.
The Master Plan outlines this vision through four overarching
goals:
Unify and Strengthen Programs and Services to Support
Children’s Learning and Development
Support Children’s Learning and Development by Enhancing
Educator Competencies, Incentivizing and Funding Career Pathways,
and Implementing Supportive Program Standards
Unify Funding to Advance Equity and Opportunity
Streamline Early Childhood Governance and Administration to
Improve Equity
While the Master Plan covers the full spectrum of early learning
and care, it does contain some specific references to First 5
California and local First 5 organizations, primarily within the
action plans for achieving the overarching goals.
At the CSAC Health and Human Services Policy Committee meeting in
November, the Committee approved updates to CSAC’s policy
platform to strengthen language for engaging on policies related
to early care, comprehensive health and development, and learning
programs and systems that counties administer, facilitate
participation in, or that enhance the ability of First 5
commissions to serve communities and families. As implementation
of this Master Plan moves forward, CSAC will look to partner with
the First 5 Association of California related to opportunities
that fit within these policy aims.
