"This investment by First 5 California and First 5 San Bernardino will allow UCR Extension to offer valuable support to the parents and children of San Bernardino County," said Margi Wild, who oversees the Early Childhood and Family Studies program.
The first grant of $850,000 is designated for the San Bernardino County-CARES program, a statewide initiative that provides incentive stipends and support or educational services for child care workers. The second grant of $360,580 is designated for the San Bernardino County-CONNECTIONS project, which is designed to help San Bernardino County students taking child development classes.
UC Riverside Extension can provide tuition assistance, textbook assistance, participant stipends, educational materials vouchers, reduced-cost training, and special project funding and college credit for training.
A statewide initiative called "Preschool for All" is focusing attention on early childhood education, and appropriate training for those in the field, Wild said.
"UC Riverside Extension will continue to remain in the forefront of this issue, offering quality programs and necessary opportunities to those in early childhood education," Wild said.
For more information about either program, visit www.ucrextension.net/connections or call Jill Riggs at 951-827-5994.