Resource and Referral
This program provides a central coordinating link for child care and development services within a geographic area—usually a county, city, or community. Through this program, CHS offers a wide range of services to parents including referrals to licensed child care. CHS also offers services to current and potential licensed child care providers and other community groups who are concerned with child care issues. All services are free of charge.

Through this program, CHS maintains an educational resource library that includes developmentally appropriate toys and materials, as well as books and videos. Resources are available to parents, providers, and the community at large. CHS professionals conduct a variety of workshops throughout the year and are available for consultation. For more information about workshops and training for child care providers, please Contact Us.

In addition, CHS provides a quarterly newsletter to child care providers in the Greater Long Beach, Orange County, San Diego County, Ventura County, Yuba County, and Sutter County areas. The newsletter contains helpful information about child development issues, child health, curriculum activities, and many other relevant topics. To view, please click on a location above.  CHS also provides a biannual newsletter for parents regarding parenting and career issues, recipes, activity ideas, and more.

Last year alone, CHS provided over 16,116 requests for child care and 170 workshops, with more than 2,300 attendees. In addition, over 1,500 parents and child care providers visited our resource libraries. We also provided technical assistance to over 38,000 parents and child care providers.

Professionalism in Child Care and Education Programs
Creating a quality environment and program for children requires skill, dedication, patience, and continuing education. Your commitment to quality raises your professionalism and will help you gain the respect, recognition, and compensation you deserve. Here are some of the ways you can foster your professional growth in the field of child care and education.

Licensing for Child Care
Licensing for child care centers and family child care homes is intended to ensure minimal standards of health and safety for children's protection. In the State of California, all child care centers and family child care homes are required to be licensed before offering care and to maintain the licensing standards. The Community Care Licensing Division of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) oversees licensing of all child care facilities.

Some of the licensing requirements for child care facilities include:
• A criminal record clearance on all adults providing direct care and supervision to children and any other adults residing in the facility.
• A Child Abuse Index check on all individuals in the facility who either provide care or have frequent contact with children.
• Tuberculosis tests of all caregivers.
• Health and safety standards in the home or center.
• Certain adult-to-child ratios and group sizes depending on the size of the facility.
• Health, safety, and CPR training for caregivers.
• Educational qualifications for center-based staff.

Community Care Licensing makes unannounced visits to child care facilities and investigates complaints from the public. Maintaining all licensing standards and having a clear record with your licensing agency show your professional commitment to quality child care. Caregivers who are currently exempt from licensing can show the same commitment to quality by voluntarily following basic health and safety standards.

Credentials
Child Development Permits issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing provide a career ladder of six levels that emphasize continuing education and increased skills and responsibilities. Permits have a five (5)-year renewal cycle and most levels require continuing professional growth activities as a condition of renewal. Child Development Permits are required for staff of child care and education programs funded by the California Department of Education (CDE).

Professional Groups
Membership in professional care and education groups can help you keep up-to-date on child development information, curriculum and programming ideas, business practices, licensing requirements, and many other topics. For links to some professional groups, please visit Helpful Links.

Workshops and Training
Children's Home Society of California offers workshops throughout the year for child care and early education professionals on a variety of topics including child development, marketing, and tax and record keeping. Information about scheduled workshops is available by calling our office. Other sources of training include Community Care Licensing, community colleges, Child Care Resource and Referral agencies, child care associations, and other professional groups. For more information
about Workshops and Training for child care providers, please Contact Us.