Quality Counts Humboldt (QCC) – Changing Tides Family Services

(QCC)

Quality Counts Humboldt

What is Quality?

Quality early learning and care means learning environments, relationships, interactions, and activities support all children’s growth and development to prepare them for success in school and life.

Quality Counts Humboldt ECE Quality Improvement Grants

Quality Counts Humboldt is the Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) in Humboldt County. QRIS systems are used across the country to improve and support the quality of early care and education programs. Numerous studies show that when children receive high quality care and education during their early years of life, they are better prepared for school, better readers, and are more likely to graduate high school. These outcomes benefit every child and family in our community.

Quality Counts Humboldt provides a variety of quality improvement programs that are designed to support child care providers to get professional development, set goals and/or pursue higher education.

Programs Available for 2025 - 2026:

IMPACT (Improve and Maximize so All Children Thrive) Legacy – Funded by First 5 California, this program uses a Peer-Coaching model and participants can earn stipends for completing professional development and/or child development units.
QRIS – CSPP (CA State Preschool Program) – Structured around the Quality Continuum Framework-Measured Quality Elements, this program is designed to assess quality and provide Tier Ratings for child care centers based on established criteria. Programs can earn awards based on their Tier Ratings.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GRANT (QIG) – A grant that enables family childcare programs to earn incentives by completing professional development and/or child development units and working with a coach to create and implement a Quality Improvement Plan structured around the Quality Continuum Framework-Measured Quality Elements.
WORKFORCE PATHWAYS – This program focuses on professional development and/or higher education and is available to individuals in a variety of programs, including Family, Friend, and Neighbor Child Care Providers. Individuals can earn incentives for completing professional development and/or child development units.

You will be able to qualify for incentives from only one of these programs, so make sure you evaluate the features and pick the one that is best for you and your situation. (In some cases, you may only be eligible to apply for one or two of them depending upon what kind of child care program you operate or are employed by). Look carefully at the list below to see where you fit and which program is right for you to apply for.

Eligibility (Who can apply for which program?):

IMPACT Legacy: Licensed Family Child Care Providers, staff working in public or private child care centers including Tribal Programs and Head Start (without CSPPs), Family, Friend & Neighbor Child Care Providers.
CSPP: Child Care Centers with at least one State Preschool classroom.
QIG: Licensed Family Child Care Programs
WORKFORCE PATHWAYS: Individuals who work in or operate public or private child care centers including Tribal Programs and Head Start, Licensed Family Child Care Homes, Family, Friend & Neighbor Child Care Providers.

Where can I get more information?

We can help explain the features of each program, but the decision of which to apply for will be up to you based on your:

Eligibility/child care program
Current goals
Professional development needs

For IMPACT Legacy, CSPP and QIG:

Star Mohatt, QRIS Coordinator First 5 Humboldt

707-445-7385 smohatt@co.humboldt.ca.us

For Workforce Pathways:

Jennifer Black, Workforce Pathways Advisor Changing Tides Family Services

707-444-8293 JBlack@changingtidesfs.org

*Funding Disclaimer: Funding is limited and there are caps on the number of participants or child care programs that can be funded through each funding stream, as well as parameters for who is eligible to apply. Depending upon the funding available and the number of applicants to a program, your stipend may differ from the estimated amount.

Program Requirements

Licensed Programs must have a current license and be in “Good Standing” with Community Care Licensing.

All professional development, training, activities, higher education, assessments and documentation must be completed between May 16, 2025 and May 15, 2026. No late paperwork will be accepted.

Follow the guidelines and requirements for each grant as they all differ based on programs served, grant requirements and funding available.

How can I apply?

Contact Quality Counts Humboldt Program Administrators, Star Mohatt and/or Jennifer Black for application and information materials.

The deadline to apply for Quality Counts Humboldt ECE Quality Improvement Grants for the 2025-2026 year is September 26, 2025.