Our Mission & Our History
Our Mission
4C Council's mission is to develop, implement and advance early care and education services, social services, health and human services, charter schools and other programs benefiting children, youth and families.
At 4C Council We...
Promote access to quality early education for children and parents by:
Help new and existing childcare providers start and succeed in their business by:
Advocate for equal access to quality early care and education by:
Our History
This venture started in 1971, when a group of parents discovered their access to the existing child development services was limited, as they were systematically prevented from taking advantage of quality child care services that other children in affluent families were receiving. Their concerns were reviewed by community activists and educators, and it was determined that their child care needs were indeed not being met. As a result, the group applied for funding from the San Jose Model Cities Program and established the first county-wide Child Care Committee under the county's Social Planning Council. In 1972, the county joined in the venture, and the 4C Council was born.
In its 37 years of service, the agency has grown from a $50,000 budget and a staff of three, to a $45 million budget and a staff of 150. Almost all of the funding is returned to the community as payments to child care providers for services provided to low income children and their families.
As we have grown, so has our commitment to our community. 4C Council manages many programs and services devoted to young children and their families, regardless of income levels and background. The list of programs managed by 4C Council is:
