The QCC County Program Profile provides county data from the Common Data File (CDF) and the Annual Progress Report (APR). For counties that are a part of a consortium, the QCC County Program Profile provides a combined view of the CDF and APR. Both qualitative and quantitative data are presented to provide a local view of early learning and care climate.

Humboldt County’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) program, Quality Counts Humboldt, serves programs in Humboldt County and is administered by First 5 Humboldt and the Humboldt County Office of Education. Five state preschool programs are currently participating in Quality Improvement Plans, assessments, and coaching, with the goal of being rated by the first week in September 2019. Humboldt Quality Counts uses a matrix with seven rating areas (and five levels): (1) Child Observation, (2) Developmental and Health Screenings, (3) Minimum Qualifications for Lead Teacher, (4) Effective Teacher-Child Interactions, (5) Ratios and Group Size (centers only beyond licensing regulations), (6) Program Environment Rating Scale(s) (use the tool for the appropriate setting—Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised [ECERS-R], Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale [ITERS-R]), and (7) Director Qualifications. Programs meeting levels 4 and 5 may be eligible for stipends from $2,000 to $4,000 based on size of program. All participating programs will receive support materials and coaching based on their Quality Improvement Plan.

• First 5 Humboldt
• Changing Tides Family Services
• Humboldt State University
• Local Child Care Planning Council
• College of the Redwoods
• Northcoast Children’s Services

Outreach is conducted via publicity on social media, direct mailings to eligible programs, emailing of flyers and information to eligible programs, phone calls to teachers and providers, informational meetings scheduled at least once a year, word of mouth, and announcements at various meetings and trainings throughout the year.

We provide regular coaching visits by trained coaches prior to ratings, invitations to attend a variety of trainings offered in the community, ASQ trainings, and start-up kits, assessments, and follow-up reports.

Programs within the QRIS are rated with the QRIS Rating Matrix, and awards are based on tier ratings with Tiers 4 and 5 receiving stipends and tiers below that receiving coaching and classroom materials if needed based on assessments. IMPACT program participants have a separate Rating Matrix and earn stipends based on minimum qualifications and points completed.

Play Group Leader/Recreation Division, City of Arcata: “It was at the very first IMPACT ASQ training offered by First 5 that I was introduced to the ASQ, and it became increasingly clear to me that I needed to find a way to get ASQs deeply implemented in our work at Arcata Play Center. Without that IMPACT training and access to the questionnaires and resources, none of the ASQ work we’ve done since would have occurred. Since launching our ASQ work in 2018, ASQs have become an integral part of our work with families. Families are now looking forward to and asking for the questionnaires when their children hit their next milestone. Families report gaining a better understanding of their child’s development, building stronger relationships with their child and feeling empowered in their parenting, and in providing their children with the activities and interactions they need to thrive throughout their development.”

A Play Group Leader/Recreation Division, City of Arcata shared: It was at the very first IMPACT ASQ training offered by First 5 that I was introduced to the ASQ, and it became increasingly clear to me that I needed to find a way to get ASQs deeply implemented in our work at Arcata Play Center. Without that IMPACT training and access to the questionnaires and resources, none of the ASQ work we’ve done since would have occurred. Since launching our ASQ work in 2018, ASQs have become an integral part of our work with families. Families are now looking forward to and asking for the questionnaires when their children hit their next milestone. Families report gaining a better understanding of their child’s development, building stronger relationships with their child and feeling empowered in their parenting and in providing their children with the activities and interactions they need to thrive throughout their development.