Local Planning Council
Mission Statement

The Merced County Child Care & Development Local Planning Council is a forum which supports planning and actions county wide to promote a quality child care system that meets the needs of all the children and families of Merced County.

Responsibilities of the Local Planning Council

When legislation does not identify specific target population or geographic areas to be served in allocating expansion funds, the State Child Development Division will use the local child care planning council priorities for the purpose of allocating new state and federal funds with Merced County. In accordance with Education Code Section 8499.5 (a), the State Child Development Division will annually notify the local child care and development planning council in each county of the amount to be allocated within the county and the time line for the allocations.

Upon approval by the Merced County Board of Supervisors and the County Superintendent of Schools, each LPC shall submit to the California Department of Education and the local priorities it has identified. The priorities shall be identified in a manner that ensures that all child care needs in the county are met to the greatest extent possible.

Get involved!

The Local Planning Council welcomes citizens of Merced County to get involved and attend Local Planning Council and Task Team meetings. For a schedule of meetings, check the calendar on this website!

• Meetings are every third Tuesday of the month. With the exception of July and December
  • June 19, 2007 - 12:30 PM
  • No meeting in July
  • August 21, 2007 - 12:30 PM
  • September 18, 2007 - 6:30 PM
  • October 19, 2007 - 12:30 PM
  • November 20, 2007 - 6:30 PM
  • No meeting in December
  • January 18, 2008 - 6:30 PM
  • February 19, 2008 - 12:30 PM
  • March 18, 2008 - 6:30 PM
  • April 15, 2008 - 12:30 PM
  • May 20, 2008 - 6:30 PM
  • June 17, 2008 - 12:30 PM
  • No meeting in July
  • August 19, 2008 - 12:30 PM
  • September 16, 2008 - 6:30 PM
  • October 21, 2008 - 12:30 PM
  • November 18, 2008 - 6:30 PM

• Merced County Local Child Care Planning Council Members
  • Linda Kaercher – Head Start/Child Development
  • Regina DeMelo – Alternate for Linda Kaercher
  • Maria Williams – Child Care Provider
  • Regina Wolf – Bear Country Pre-School
  • Stacey Roduner - Merced College Instructor 
  • Terri Kuehn-Amarante - Our Lady of Miracles School, Director 
  • Barbara Weaver - OLJW Center 
  • Nicholas Moreno - PACEAPP Merced/Madera, Regional Director
  • Margie Terranova - Parent 
  • Patrice Little - Parent
  • Jennifer Duda - Parent
  • Melanie Cole - Merced City School District, Coordinator
  • Donna Plagenza - Merced County ROP
  • Marilyn Scorby - Merced College Child Development Center, Director
  • Pearlene Reese - Central California Child Development Services, Executive Director
  • Rhonda Freitas - Alternate for Pearlene Reese
  • Valerie Campos – A.C.C.E.S.S. Alternative Payment
  • Eric Sonnenfeld – Alternate for Valerie Campos
  • Debbie Lopez – Human Services Agency
  • Betty Wetters – Merced County Health Department
  • Mike Souza - Alliance Small Business Development Center
• Appointing Agencies and Clerical Support
  • Christie Hendricks – Merced County Office of Education
  • Rebecca Johnson – Local Child Care Planning Council Secretary
  • Lee Andersen – Superintendent, Merced County Office of Education
  • Gaye Riggs – Assistant Superintendent of Early Care and Education, Merced County Office of Education