August 20, 2025
Rita is the Executive Director for Early Programs & Services and Hope is the Director of Early Education.
Rita said the mission for SDCOE is inspiring and leading innovation in education. There are 42 school districts in the County. In addition, SDCOE oversees charter schools and the Juvenile Court Schools. They provide mixed delivery of services for all children 0-5 and direct services for 0-3. They ensure that all children have equitable access and a sense of belonging. Their priorities include starting from within and improving student outcomes through transformational experiences. Their approach to education is through transformational experiences. Funding is an issue. Teachers need incentives like stipends, college tuition and training. SDCOE runs about 300 workshops/year. The collaborative approach helps to make new programs sustainable. They are funded by 17 grants such as First Five, CA Department of Social Services and the CA Dept. of Education; these grants have to be renewed which a team writes the grant applications. They have no COLA's/Cost of Living Adjustment. This year they have $10.3 million less money so they are switching to group coaching from individual coaching in some situations. Accomplishments last year: SDCOE has spent $1,299,034 on incentives for environment, $4 million in stipends for 3,002 applicants, 3,891 hours of coaching and 192 trainings to 4,761 participants.
Hope talked more about the Early Education Dept. which serves north Co. and south Co. SDUSD and East County school districts have their own 0-3 programs. The Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers is part of the Federal ADA Act of 1986, but San Diego Co. started it in 1975. They are increasing quality support and direct services by giving parents and students what they need in their natural setting with the parent/caregiver, referrals and resources. Infants and toddlers through age 4 go to the Little Schoolhouse Child Development Center in National City. It is year-round and full day. They use it like a lab school to pilot ideas and programs. Hope also works with the Local Planning Council; Sarina is the chair. Family engagement is key to the success of these children with special needs. Leadership is collaborative with ECE Centers that serve children with special needs. After age 3, all public schools have programs for special needs children which includes developmental delay in cognitive, physical, communication, social-emotional, and/or adaptive (care for himself). It also includes children with a medical diagnosis that projects an educational challenge. Before 24 months, the delay of 33% or more in one of these categories qualifies a child for these services. After 24 months, the delay of 33% in 2 or more of these categories or a delay of 50% or more in one category qualifies the child for these services. The Individual Family Service Plan/IFSP could include physical therapy, occupational therapy, vision, speech, etc. They also connect the family of a special needs child with another family with a similar child so they can support each other. Family concerns and equipment are discussed. Goals are set. They reach out to all the families to check their contact information and make a family plan. Activities recommended fit into the family's schedule and culture. The Early Education Dept. has credentialed staff for speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, nursing, visual and deaf teachers, and aides. Usually, they meet with a family once a week. They have funding for 350 families but the Regional Center does not have a cap; they have more than 4,000 clients. Right now, they can take on some more children because they are not up to capacity.
They showed a video with interviews from family members that was very helpful in understanding their work.
Discussion
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They have lost a grant worth $5.3 million/year for the next 3 years for professional training and development. It was called the Childcare Workforce Investment Program. First 5 has cut their funding for SDCOE by half so they lost ten coaches and doubled the workload of the remaining coaches.
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95% of severely impacted children over 3 years old are funded by their home school district, but SDCOE serves the remaining 5%. Some go to the Regional Center, but they do not educate children.
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Educational Enrichment Center refers some children to SDCOE and their staff also get trained. She also said that her staff have to do their own promotion and wholistic communication to the parents.
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Hope added that they use reflective practices and build relationships but they need more time in the school districts to reflect. Lindsay added that there is not enough manpower.
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Referrals come from doctors, parents, friends, etc.
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They have quarterly meetings with similar programs around the county to promote coordination.
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SDUSD is joining SDQPI/San Diego Quality Preschool Intervention which has supportive programs.
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The CA Assembly hearing discussing the state of childcare occurred today. The Women's Caucus has highlighted childcare and working families. Hopefully, they will work on rate reform and an alternative methodology. There is such a gap between low income parents who qualify for subsidy and families who can afford childcare. The workforce is underpaid and undervalued. They need to be treated as professionals.
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Head Start is continuing as of now, but it is being closely monitored and there are some cutbacks. 0-3 is an expensive program.