Congregations Caring for Children

Congregations' Role in Child Care

Congregations' Role in Child Care

Congregations' Role in Child Care

Congregations' Role in Child Care

Congregations' Role in Child Care

Given current conditions in our state, there is a critical need for efforts to provide

and support more quality child care.  California's faith community can play an

important role in addressing the lack of child care capacity, affordability, and

quality. While some congregations already offer child care programs, from infant

care to after school care, many do not, or could provide expanded services.

Many congregations are located in older and poorer communities, which tend to

have the greatest need for quality child care programs. Many congregations have

existing facilities that could be used to provide space for child care or after school

programs. Many offer advantages such as nearby locations for low income fami 

lies in their neighborhoods, built in clients who are congregation members,

potential funding and volunteer support from the congregation, and a commit 

ment to serving the neediest in their communities. Congregations also tend to be

trusted institutions, increasing the chances that existing or potential child care

providers will use offers of support to expand and improve child

care locally.

The following pages provide a list of ways in which congrega 

tions can provide or support quality child care, along with

chapters of how tos on implementing many of these possibili 

ties.

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