The CARES Plus program is dedicated to increasing the quality of early learning programs for children ages 0 to 5 and their families by supporting the education and professional development of an effective, well-compensated, and diverse early learning workforce. The continuation of the CARES Plus program will 1) allow First 5 California to build on the organizational infrastructure and momentum already created by the current CARES Plus programs throughout the state; 2) provide more counties an opportunity to participate; and 3) potentially leverage additional federal and local funds.

• Power Point (4-30-13)

FAQs – March 26, 2013 (Revised 5-8-13)
• FAQs – April 5, 2013 (4-9-13)
• FAQs – April 15, 2013 (4-30-13)

• Letter of Intent to Apply and First Right of Refusal (3-19-13)

First 5 County Commissions are required to submit a Letter of Intent to Apply by 5:00 p.m., March 26, 2013. First 5 County Commissions have First Right of Refusal in applying for CARES Plus Round 2 for fiscal years 2013-2016. Local Public Entities may apply on behalf of the county for these funds when a local First 5 Commission chooses not to apply. Please refer to the RFA for detailed instructions about the application process. The letter below includes information about the availability of funds to Local Public Entities and will be updated as needed. Final time and date for First 5 County Commissions to return their Letter of Intent to Apply is 5:00 p.m., March 26, 2013.

• Letter of Intent to Apply (3-27-13)

• March 19, 2013 Webinar Notes (3-22-13)
• Program Power Point (3-22-13)
• Research & Evaluation Power Point (3-22-13)

• Letter of Interest (10-24-12)

• Agenda Item #7 (10-24-12)

On October 17, 2012, the State Commission approved up to $14 million per year for CARES Plus for three years (July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2016).

The Comprehensive Approaches to Raising Educational Standards (CARES) Program was launched in FY 00/01 as a matching-fund program with 44 county commissions. State Commission approval for CARES funding concluded in December 2009. On April 21, 2010, the State Commission approved up to $36 million in funding for CARES Plus for three years (July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2013).  

CARES Plus builds upon the positive impact of the original CARES Program. It is designed to increase the quality of early learning programs for children 0 to 5 and their families by supporting the education and preparation of an effective, well-compensated, and diverse early learning workforce. The “Plus” represents an enhancement of earlier CARES components, such as a strong focus on outcomes and accountability, an expansion of the CARES Database to an Early Learning Workforce Registry, and expanding the Higher Education Plans to Higher Education Quality Pathway Partnerships.

This section of the CARES Plus Web page has been designed to provide information for the lead agencies currently operating CARES Plus programs. The information included on this page will inform local implementation efforts and highlight state-level requirements. This information will be updated regularly, so please check back often for the latest information.

• CARES Plus Welcome Letter (9-21-12)
• CARES Plus Welcome Letter (Spanish) (9-21-12)

• MTP Participant Letter (8-2-12)
• MTP Director Letter (8-2-12)
• MTP Quick Overview (8-2-12)
• MTP Quick Overview (Spanish) (8-14-12)
• MTP Frequently Asked Questions (8-2-12)
• MTP Video Camera Kit Liability Agreement and Checkout Agreement (8-2-12)
• MTP Video Camera Kit Liability Agreement and Checkout Agreement (Spanish) (8-24-12)
• MTP Items in Video Camera Kit (8-2-12)
• MTP Parent Video Recording Notification Form (8-2-12)
• MTP Parent Video Recording Notification Form (Spanish) (8-14-12)
• MTP Final CLASS Video Taping Protocol (8-2-12)
• MTP Final Video Recording Checklist (8-2-12)
• MTP CARES Plus Program Policy for Non Responsive Participant (8-2-12)
• MyTeachingPartner (MTP) Flyer (English) (6-13-11)
• MyTeachingPartner (MTP) Flyer (Spanish) (6-13-11)
• MyTeachingPartner (MTP) – Additional Information for Teachers (6-22-11)

• CLASS Participant Letter (8-2-12)
• CLASS Participant Letter (Spanish) (8-24-12)
• CLASS Director Letter (8-2-12)
• CLASS Frequently Asked Questions (3-20-13)
• CLASS Frequently Asked Questions (Spanish) (3-20-13)
• CLASS Final Video Taping Protocol (3-20-13)
• CLASS Final Video Taping Protocol (Spanish) (3-20-13)
• CLASS Final Video Recording Checklist (3-20-13)
• CLASS Video Camera Kit Liability Agreement and Checkout Agreement (1-23-13)
• CLASS Video Camera Kit Liability Agreement and Checkout Agreement (Spanish) (1-23-13)
• CLASS Parent Video Recording Notification Form (8-2-12)
• CLASS Parent Video Recording Notification Form (Spanish) (8-14-12)
• CLASS CARES Plus Program Policy for Non Responsive Participation (8-2-12)
• What to Expect from a CLASS Observation (10-17-11)
• What to Expect from a CLASS Observation (Spanish) (11-10-11)
• CLASS Observation - Protocol for Lead Agencies (10-25-11)

• Memo to Participants (English) (9-11-12)
• Memo to Participants (Spanish) (9-11-12)

• CARES Plus Update (7-23-12)

• County Single Point of Contact List (2-26-13)

• Index of Topics
• August 30, 2011, Conference Call (reposted 9-30-11)
• July 12, 2011, Conference Call on Fiscal Requirements
• June 21, 2011, Conference Call
• June 7, 2011, Conference Call on Component D
• May 24, 2011, Conference Call
• May 10, 2011, Conference Call

• Audit Example Schedule (8-30-2011)
• Cover Sheet – Form F (6-22-2011)
• Effectiveness and Access (E&A) Final Plan Updates and Changes – Form F (6-22-2011)
• CARES Plus Planning and Development Change Request Form N - Phase I (6-2-2011)
• CARES Plus Program Change Request Form N - Phase II (6-2-2011)
• CARES Plus RFA Appendix L-1 (5-13-2011)
• CARES Plus Consent Form (English) (6-8-12)
  • Research Subjects' Bill of Rights (English) (6-15-2011)
• CARES Plus Consent Form (Spanish) (6-8-12)
  • Research Subjects' Bill of Rights (Spanish) (6-15-2011)
• CARES Plus Evaluation Opt Out Form (English) (6-8-12)
• CARES Plus Evaluation Opt Out Form (Spanish) (6-8-12)
• CARES Plus Evaluation Opt Out Form (English) (5-13-2011)
• CARES Plus Evaluation Opt Out Form (Spanish) (5-13-2011)
• CARES Plus Video Recording Notification (English) (5-13-2011)
• CARES Plus Video Recording Notification (Spanish) (5-13-2011)

• Phase II Quarterly Expenditure Report Forms - Quarter 3 (FY 12-13) (3-6-13)
• Phase II Quarterly Expenditure Report Forms - Quarter 2 (FY 12-13) (12-19-12)
• Phase II Quarterly Expenditure Report Forms - Quarter 1 (FY 12-13) (9-11-12)
• Phase II Quarterly Expenditure Report Forms Instructions (9-11-12)
• Phase II CARES Plus Program Change Request Form N
• Phase II Program Operation Budget – Form 9A and 9B (FY 12-13)