Programs, Services & Support : Providers

Mini-Grant Program: (559) 456-1100

The First 5 funded Mini Grant Program addresses and strengthens identified areas in Child Care programs so a higher quality of care can be offered to children 0-5 years old. Providers will receive on site technical assistance to complete the application and evaluate their program. This service is available in English, Spanish, and Hmong.

The First 5 Commission of Fresno County provides the funding for Center-based and Family Child Care Home providers to improve the quality of care provided for children between the ages of 0 through 5. Through this program, both training and monetary resources are provided in order for programs to make improvements that lead to better environments for young children.

Program Details:
-112 Mini-Grants to be awarded throughout 2007-2008
-License-Exempt, Licensed Family Child Care Providers and Child Care Centers located in Fresno County
 who have not received a Mini-Grant from CSN in or after 2005 are eligible to apply
-Providers must currently care for children ages 0-5
-$1000 for Family Child Care Providers
-$2000 for Child Care Centers

Steps to Take:
-Call Mini-Grant Program at (559) 256-0946 to attend an informational meeting.
-Participants are chosen randomly after attending a required informational meeting.
-Participants attend a professional growth workshop, provided by the Fansler Institute for Leadership
 in Early Childhood Education at California State University, Fresno directed by Dr. Shareen Abramson.
-Mini-Grant staff provides a workshop on the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) and Family
 Child Care Rating Scale (FCCRS) developed by Thelma Harms and Richard M. Clifford.
-The final steps of the process are the 2 support visits by the Mini-Grant staff, which provides the
opportunity for participants to discuss the results of their rating scale.

The goal again, is to make lasting changes for long-term benefits for children. Once the items are purchased and in place, “before” and “after” pictures are taken along with a brief reflection to document the improvements made in each program. Most importantly, the benefits for the children are immense!