Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals? Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment? The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. The vision of the California Department of Social Services is to provide quality services with a commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable California where all people can thrive.
The mission of the Child Care and Development Division (CCDD) is to build, strengthen, and maintain an
equitable, comprehensive, quality, and affordable child care and development system for the children and
families in our state; to integrate child care with other California Department of Social Services (CDSS)
programs and services that serve the whole child and the whole family; to address social determinants of
health and adverse childhood experiences which significantly impact long-term outcomes for children; and to
provide vital supports to the child care and development workforce and programs for children to have access
to equitable and stable child care and development opportunities. The CCDD provides planning, policy
direction, and oversight of the majority of state-supported child care and development programs and services
in California. These include programs that provide a variety of state-subsidized child care services, quality
improvement plan activities, local child care and developmental planning councils, and child care resource
and referral programs. The CCDD seeks to implement data-informed programs and policies, while providing
robust technical assistance and support to counties, contractors, and child care partners.
CDSS Guiding Principles
Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Accessibility. Belonging.
We ensure opportunities for everyone to participate in a meaningful way in fulfilling the mission and vision of CDSS.
Community Engagement
We prioritize the lived experiences of community members as a driving force behind the creation, implementation, desired impact, or change of programs and services.
Empowerment
We engage, operate, and advocate from the understanding that each community and person has desires and capabilities to lead in their own life.
Quality Services
We provide services that align intent and impact by ensuring that they are accessible, community driven, interconnected, and continuously improved.
Data Defined Outcomes
We equitably collect and analyze data, take data-driven action, and measure outcomes relevant to those we serve, ensuring transparency and accountability.