In October 1991, the United States Congress established a Federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) through which each state was allocated funds to assist low-income families in obtaining child care and development services.  Subsequently, California developed a State Plan which specified that local communities should have a voice in the appropriation and allocation of CCDBG funds.  In the same year, AB 2141 authored by Assemblywoman Jackie Speir was passed which requested each county to establish a Local Child Care and Development Planning Council (LPC) to identify priorities for CCDBG funds based on the needs of families.  There are currently 58 individual planning councils representing each county in California.

The primary mission of the LPC is to plan for child care and development services based on the needs of families in the local community.  Through collaborative efforts with other individuals and organizations interested in the welfare of families, LPC should also support the existing child care infrastructure by coordinating services that are locally available.  As a result of planning, collaboration, and support for the child care systems that currently exist, LPC plan and determine local priorities for new state and federal funds.  In order to be fully effective, councils are highly encouraged to strengthen the partnerships with both public and private organizations in each county.  By forming strong community partnerships, each group involved becomes empowered to share their ideas and concerns during the local planning process.

Although the new language on governing local child care planning councils is found in the welfare reform legislation, the purpose and scope of the LPC goes beyond child care programs funded by the federal block grant.  LPC's are intended to serve as a forum to address the child care needs of all families in the community and all child care programs - including both subsidized and non-subsidized child care.

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