Merced County School Readiness Initiative

(In collaboration with First 5 Merced County)

Contact: Jan Paystrup, Curriculum and Staff Development Specialist (209) 722-3804

• Collaborative effort with First 5 Merced County to assist identified school sites/districts in implementing school readiness plans.  ( Merced City , Planada, Atwater-Winton, Hilmar, Dos Palos, Livingston, Delhi and Los Banos)

• Five essential elements of all plans: early care and education, parenting and family support, health and social services, schools’ readiness for children, and site infrastructure, administration and evaluation.

• Each school district implements plan in unique ways but all plans involve early identification and intervention, preschool augmentation, training and support for families, ECE-kindergarten articulation, and linkages with community resources.

• MCOE provides support in curriculum and staff development (Jan Paystrup, School Readiness Curriculum and Staff Development Specialist) as well as assistance with linkages to special education, child care providers, and other special projects such as Caring Kids.