San Francisco Departments & Councils

San Francisco’s ECE landscape includes departments and planning bodies that disseminate funds, develop program priorities, as well as councils that assess and advise on early care and education and related child and family services. See below for information about current departments and their oversight bodies, as well as the state-mandated local planning council.

San Francisco Department of Early Childhood

The Department of Early Childhood (DEC) is a merger between two city departments– First 5 San Francisco (First 5) and the Office of Early Care and Education (OECE).

“DEC is a City and County of San Francisco Department dedicated to our young children’s safe and healthy development. As the City’s largest early childhood funder, DEC is committed to creating a system that ensures every child can thrive and learn. Now that First 5 San Francisco and OECE have come together, we will better coordinate, align and integrate the system of early childhood and support we have here in San Francisco. We will provide public investment, expertise, and leadership to put resources into the hands of those who care for our City’s youngest children. As a new, unified department, DEC is responsible for launching and leading San Francisco’s ambitious initiative to transform the public support of young children and those who care for them.

We still offer many of the same resources, but now that we are able to integrate all public early childhood services, we will have the expanded capacity to bring the parents, childcare providers, and partners in our community even more holistic support.

DEC will administer funds from Proposition C, a commercial rent tax, dedicated to children’s early care and education. The new funding promises to do even more for San Francisco’s children and families—and backs up that promise with dedicated resources for the long haul.”

Visit the new DEC website, read the official city announcement, and find them on social media @sfdepartmentofearlychildhood!

 

Department of Children, Youth, and Families

“DCYF creates and facilitates innovative citywide policies and projects in support of children, youth, and families. As a result, children, youth, and families from throughout the City participate in a broad range of programs in the areas of early child care, academic support, health and wellness, youth workforce development, and cultural enrichment.” Learn more about DCYF on their website.

DCYF is advised by the DCYF Oversight and Advisory Committee 

“In November of 2014, the Children and Youth Fund was reauthorized through June 30, 2041 by nearly 75% of the San Francisco electorate. The revamped Children and Youth Fund included several revisions to the original Children’s Fund, including the establishment of DCYF’s Oversight and Advisory Committee. The Oversight and Advisory Committee (OAC) replaced DCYF’s Citizens Advisory Committee.” Find out more about upcoming OAC meetings.

Child Care Planning and Advisory Council

“The San Francisco Child Care Planning and Advisory Council (CPAC) is the state-mandated Local Planning Council (LPC), established to provide a forum for the identification of local priorities for child care and early education, and the development of policies to meet these needs.” Learn more about CPAC on their website.

CPAC Meetings

Information for upcoming CPAC meetings, including committee meetings, is listed on the ECESF events calendar. CPAC General Meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 9:30AM – 11:15AM. Find out more about upcoming CPAC meetings.