The Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP), funded by the California Department of Social Services, focuses primarily on the recruitment and training of prospective family child care providers and supporting them through the licensing process. The ultimate goal of this program is to enhance the quality and increase the supply of in-home child care settings throughout Tuolumne and Mariposa counties.

Even during “normal” times families in Mariposa and Tuolumne counties face a critical shortage of child care spaces which impacts their ability to go to work and/or school. The current health crisis has only served to heighten the need for qualified and dedicated child care providers. Family child care is a self-employed business that contributes significantly to the local economy, and the social and emotional well-being of children. In both Mariposa and Tuolumne counties there is an unmet need for infant and toddler care as well as those who can provide care during evening and weekend hours. Because of this, there is an emphasis on licensing and training prospective family child care providers who will provide care for these very young children and during non-traditional business hours.