Whole Child Community Equity.

Existing law, the Child Care and Development Services Act, administered by the State Department of Social Services, establishes a system of childcare and development services for children up to 13 years of age. Under existing law, the State Department of Education identifies, develops, validates, and disseminates effective educational programs and practices operated by state and local educational entities, in order to improve the educational services provided through public elementary and secondary schools. This bill would require the State Department of Social Services, in consultation with the State Department of Education, and with input from early childhood stakeholders, to develop the Whole Child Equity Framework (the Framework) and Whole Child Community Equity Screening Tool (the Equity Tool) to provide the data needed to support the equitable distribution of resources and monitor progress on addressing racial and economic inequities. The bill would require the State Department of Social Services, in consultation with the State Department of Education, to convene a workgroup to provide recommendations to the State Department of Social Services for the development of the Framework, the Equity Tool, and recommended uses of the Equity Tool for early childhood investments and whole child resources. The bill would require the workgroup to include parents and families from historically underserved communities and other stakeholders that bring insight to support the whole child. The bill would require the State Department of Social Services, on or before January 1, 2025, to finalize and present the Framework, the Equity Tool, and recommended uses of the Equity Tool to the Legislature. The bill would also require the State Department of Social Services to publish the tool for public use, including the data and methodology, on the department's internet website.