Latest UpdatesPosted on October 27, 2025
The Strong Start Index standardizes and summarizes the conditions into which children are born. Comprising twelve indicators that are universally measured, the California Strong Start Index can be used to better, more holistically characterize children across (and within) California communities, providing a tool that can help First 5s and …
Posted on October 27, 2025
This page on the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) website provides an index of child care and development quality initiatives, projects, programs and resources to support the early learning and care workforce and the early learning community.
Posted on October 27, 2025
This policy brief published in April 2025 uses data from the 2019–2023 California Health Interview Surveys to describe the child care experiences of households with young children ages 0–5.
Posted on August 14, 2025
The California Department of Social Services is pleased to announce the seventh convening of the Equity-Centered QRIS Advisory Panel. The seventh Panel meeting will be September 25, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. All meetings are open to the public so that community members can participate […]
Posted on July 4, 2023
Please spread the word and share these series of learning experiences with your colleagues. In January 2023, California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) and California Department of Social Services (CDSS), in partnership with WestEd, announced the launch of a comprehensive suite of 12 new series of online professional development …
Posted on August 18, 2021
The California Department of Education, in partnership with WestEd, is proud to announce the launch of a new and innovative online health and safety course for family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) providers. The online course, available in English and Spanish, titled Health and Safety for Family, Friend, and Neighbor Providers …
Posted on December 27, 2019
QRIS assessors and anchors on the Environment Rating Scales (ERS) may access training and support documents via Google Drive. The documents available there include: ● Guidance Inappropriate and Damaged Books 2019 ● ERS Assessor Toolkit 2019 ● Diapering-handwashing 2019 ● Observer Guidelines 2019 ● California ERS Anchor Certification Process ● …