Humboldt QCC

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 provides a variety of quality improvement programs designed to support child care providers with professional development, goal-setting, and higher education. Numerous studies show that when children receive high quality care and education during their early years, they are better prepared for school, better readers, and more likely to graduate high school.

These outcomes benefit every child and family in our community.

2025–2026 Programs

ECE Quality Improvement Grants

Select a program to learn about what it offers and who can apply.

Uses a peer-coaching model where participants can earn stipends for completing professional development and/or child development units. Funded by First 5 California.

Licensed Family Child Care
Public/Private Center Staff
Tribal & Head Start (without CSPP)
Family, Friend & Neighbor Providers

Structured around the Quality Continuum Framework, this program assesses quality and provides Tier Ratings for child care centers based on established criteria. Programs can earn awards based on their Tier Ratings.

Centers with at least one State Preschool classroom

Enables family child care 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.

Licensed Family Child Care Programs

Focuses on professional development and higher education. Individuals can earn incentives for completing professional development and/or child development units. Available to individuals in a variety of programs.

Public/Private Center Staff
Licensed Family Child Care
Tribal & Head Start
Family, Friend & Neighbor Providers

Important: You can only qualify for incentives from one of these programs. Evaluate the features carefully 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 on what kind of child care program you operate or are employed by.

Get Started

How to Apply

Contact the program administrators below for application materials and to find out which program is right for you.

Impact Legacy, CSPP & QIG

Star Mohatt

QRIS Coordinator, First 5 Humboldt

Workforce Pathways

Jennifer Black

Workforce Pathways Advisor, Changing Tides Family Services

Before You Apply

Program Requirements

Licensing

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

Timeline

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

Guidelines

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

Deadline

Application deadlines vary by program. Contact the program administrators above for current deadlines and availability.

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.

Ready to Improve Your Program?

Reach out to learn which Quality Counts Humboldt program is the best fit for you.