Children's Network |
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Mission Statement
The purpose of the Children's Network is to reduce the fragmentation of programs for at-risk children and families in the County. The Network serves as a vehicle for planning, coordination, collaboration, information sharing and neetworking. Over the past several years, the Network has been integral in the planning of service delivery for children and families in the county.
The Mission of the Santa Cruz Children's Network is to improve opportunities for young people and their families. The Network supports the ongoing goals of the Community Assessment Project (CAP). (Bylaws, p.1)
It is the Networks's intent to encourage the development of a comprehensive and collaborative delivery system of services to children and youth.(Bylaws, p.1)
The Policy Advocacy Committee, formed in 2004, will examine issues affecting children and youth in our county and make recommendations to the Cabinet.
The Child Abuse Oversight Committee, formed in 2005, will ensure that the issue of child abuse is consistently brought to the attention of the Children's Network and support Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) in fulfilling its core mandated functions.
History
County Board of Supervisor formed the Children's Network on February 26, 1991 as the local children's services coordination council pursuant to the Presley -Brown Interagency Children's Services Act of 1989. It is sometimes referred to as the 997 Council. The majority of counties in California have a 997 council. The Board of Supervisors' Resolution No. 95-91 states the purpose: "The County of Santa Cruz desires to promote a coordinated, interagency approach to improve the delivery of social services to children and their families."
Welfare and Institutions Code - Section 18986-18986.3
The Presley Brown Interagency Children's Services Act includes the following wording (in part) that refers to the Children's Network.
" There is no adequate comprehensive system for the delivery of services to children and youth; instead services to children are provided by carious department and agecies as noth the state and county levels, often without appropriate collaboration, resulting in gaps in services and program duplication." (18986.1b)
"It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to encourage the development of a comprehensive and collaborative delivery system of services to children and youths at the state and local level and to offer fiscal incentives in the form of waivers and negotiated contracts to encourage collaboration. The goals of that collaborative system shall be to:" (see Bylaws, Section 2 - Purpose).
The Act states who should serve on the council (Children's Network). Santa Cruz County has added some other positions to provide a broader range of membership.
The Act describes the duties of the council from which Santa Cruz County developed Section 16 of bylaws- Cabinet. The Act states all the populations that the council can serve (18986.15)
The Welfare and Institutions Code can be found in its entirety at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/calawquery?codesection=wic&codebody =&hits=20.
Funding
The Children's Network is responsible for four funding sources, all of which are administered locally by the Human Resources Agency. They are:
- Children's Trust Fund (CTF) - Portion of the fees charged for birth certificates, grants and bequests from private sources for child abuse and neglect. This is a State and local program.
- Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Treatment (CAPIT) - State funds administered by California Department of Social Services State Office of Child Abuse Prevention based on the reported number of abused and neglected children.
- Promoting Safe & Stable Families (PSSF) - Federal Family Preservation and Support Act of 1993. Administered by the California Department fo Social Services.
- Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) - Federal Funds adminstered by the State Office of Child Abuse Prevention started in 1996.
Projects
The Children’s Network publishes a quarterly newsletter and an Annual Report. At the bi-monthly meetings, a general informational session is held updating the Network on key children issues affecting the county. The Network approves Healthy Start grants. The Network oversees and approves Preserving Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) planning, funding, contract administration and evaluation. In addition, the Network approves funding contracts for Children’s Trust Fund, C.A.P.I.T., and C.B.C.A.P monies.
In 2000, a Strategic Planning Committee was formed after the Cabinet adopted the goal of “Improving Elementary School Attendance”. Much work and research was put into the development of the three-year plan with components that can involve all members of the Network. Through this planning process, the Got School? project was started in May 2001. The Got School? project’s website and the Lice Busters manuals were two resources that were created out of this project. The Got School? www.Gotschool.org, continues to be available to schools and parents with helpful information on school attendance and materials that can be downloaded. The Lice Busters manual is available in its entirety on the web.
Membership
A Cabinet comprised of 28 Board-appointed members governs the Children’s Network.. Each member has appointed an alternate to serve in their place should they be absent. The Cabinet expanded beyond the requirements of SB 997 to include non-profit representatives, three school superintendents, and representatives of major initiatives in the county. The Cabinet has an Executive
Committee of three members. Any organization that works with or serves children and their families is welcome to attend Network meetings and participate. There are currently over 200 people on the member list with approximately 50 who regularly attend Network meetings.
For a list of 2008 Meeting Dates -->click here
Staffing
The Network staff includes a Coordinator at 8 hours a week:
Housed in: United Way of Santa Cruz County
Mail Address: P.O. Box 1458, Capitola, CA 95010
Contact: Shebreh Kalantari, Coordinator
Phone: 831-465-2207 (Fax: 831-479-5477)
E-mail: skalantari@unitedwaysc.org
Family Friendly Workplace Awards
A Family Friendly Workplace:
1) Benefits policies and programs that promote employees quality of life and work/life balance
2) Workplace cultures and climates that reflect family or employee centered beliefs
3) Workplace relationships with supervisors and co-workers that are respectful of employee's work-family responsibilites.
4) Work processes, systems, and practices that keep beneficial outcomes for both the organization and employees in the forefront.
A Mother-Baby Friendly Workplace:
The purpose of the Mother-Baby Workplace Awards is to increase awareness among mothers and employers that breastfeeding and work are compatible. A Mother-Baby Friendly Workplace provids support for employees (or their partners) who wish to provide breast milk for their babies.
2006 Family Friendly Workplace Award Winners
Family Friendly Workplace
Parent's Center
Santa Cruz Women's Health Center
Graniterock
Family Friendly Workplace with Breast Feeding Focus
SPIN(Special Parent's Information Network)
Assemblymember John Laird's Office
ETR Associates/Research Department
Pacific Credit Services
Honorable Mention
Whitelaw Chiropractic
The Skylight Place
Bay Federal Credit Union
Santa Cruz County, Health Services Agency
Tierra Pacific Charter
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