Child Care Facilities & Licensing Requirements

California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing
2580 Market Street, Suite 300, MS29-08, San Jose, CA 95131; 408/324-2148.
Community Care Licensing, part of the California Department of Social Services, promotes the health, safety and quality of life of each person in community care through the administration of an effective collaborative regulatory enforcement system, including child care centers and family child care homes in Santa Cruz County. They hold quarterly orientation meetings for those interested in starting up a child care program (center-based or family child care). They develop and publish the Title 22 policies and procedures that regulate child care programs. Updates and forms can be downloaded from their website.

Child Care Advocate:
The Child Care Advocate works for the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing and promotes the delivery of quality child care by providing a link between Community Care Licensing and the community. Part of this job is to provide licensing information and assistance to providers who want to expand, renovate or start child care programs. Child Care Advocate publications include: Innovations in Child Care, and Self-Assessment Guide for Child Care Centers, Infant Care Centers, School-age Center and Family Child Care. Currently there are two Advocates. Betsy Rutana is the Advocate for the Northern Region and Center of the State. She can be reached at (510) 622-2623 or Elizabeth.Rutana@dss.ca.gov. Holly Daas Advocate for Southern California. She can be reached at (760) 929-3274 or at: Holly.Daasnes@dss.ca.gov.