Early Childhood Development and Early Learning Task Force to Meet on Wednesday

The Early Childhood Development and Early Learning Task Force is scheduled to meet on Wednesday.

The task force will work with staff to review the status of the implementation of the early child development policy adopted by the City Council 2015.

“Since establishing the Policy on Children, Youth and Families, the City has evolved its thinking and understanding of how best to approach improved outcomes for children, youth and families,” according to a staff report.

“As is evidenced by the updated Policy on Children, Youth and Families in 2012 – 2013, along with recently adopted 2013 -2016 School/City/Community Work Plan, recently renamed Collaborate PASadena, there is renewed recognition that efforts to improve the lives of Pasadena residents will require a comprehensive approach that involves cross sector policies and comprehensive service strategies. These policies and service strategies must also address the changing needs throughout the life course and respond to the differing developmental needs of children, youth, and adults as they age.”

Members represent a diverse cross-section of early childhood and early learning experts, practitioners and advocates; leadership and early childhood staff of the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD); parents of young children from PUSD; child-care professionals: brain science experts: and workforce, public health and maternal care leaders.

The task force is scheduled to meet twice a month and report back to the council on the current status of implementation of policy, the policy’s alignment with the most recent science regarding best practices on implementing early childhood programs, and any policy changes needed to support the city’s youngest children and families die to immediate issues, including the pandemic, racial injustice, cycles of violence and economic instability.

All meetings will be held in accordance with the Brown Act.

The task force will present an update to the City Council no later than June 11 and forward a final report to the City Council on or before September 12 and sunset at that time.

In 2014, the City Council requested an update of the 1994 Child Care Policy be brought forward along with funding options to reinstate the child care coordinator position.

An Ad Hoc Committee of the Human Services Commission met for over 6 months to revise the 1994 policy.

Gordo announced his intentions to form the task force during the annual State of the City speech.