OC Partnership for Young Children report 1999

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RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations emerged by consensus from the Task Force discussions. They are presented in order of priority within the Partnership's three program areas: Early Childhood Care and Education, Child Health and Mental Health, and Family Support. EARL Y CHILDHOOD CARE AND ED UCA TION ➢ Create a Spanish speaking liaison position to help parents and children make the transition to child care settings. This liaison should work with children, parents and child care providers to eliminate language or cultural barriers to children's adjustment to attending formal child care. ➢ Provide expanded transportation to Head Start. Group transportation should be available to enable more families to benefit from Head Start classes. ➢ Expand Head Start eligibility and spaces to serve more children. Head Start classes provide a supportive and stimulating environment that helps prepare children for school. ➢ Provide cultural sensitivity training for child care providers. Child care workers can contribute to better quality care by learning ways to support the cultural diversity of children in their care. CHILD HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH ➢ Broaden Health Choice coverage to non -U.S. born children. Many Latino children ages 0 — 5 would receive better health care if they qualified for this new health insurance program for low - income families. ➢ Develop a network of therapists to help children cope with the trauma of coming to the U.S. Young children may need special support to adapt to the cultural, social and emotional challenges that often accompany moving to a new country, particularly if the move involved separation from family members. ➢ Provide bilingual - health services in northern Orange County. Families who live in the rural areas of the county need access to health care that is family friendly and culturally sensitive. 19