In response to the pressing issues facing families battling housing instability and other crises, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and her team launched the 'Ready, Set, Go!' initiative yesterday. An inventive offering, this initiative delivers vital educational and family support services through a mobile classroom, thereby reaching families who find regular Head Start centers and family childcare providers inaccessible, as announced by the City of Oakland.
Upon receiving a substantial $13,484,533 grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the Office of Head Start in July 2021, Oakland City redirected a portion of these funds towards the procurement of an RV to be repurposed into a mobile classroom. The conceptualization and execution of the mobile classroom were triggered by recognizing the frequent dropouts from Head Start due to transportation issues and families finding it challenging to visit traditional early education centers while encountering homelessness.
As indicated by the data compiled by the program and local community organizations, it becomes crucial to include additional services specifically targeting families with young children facing homelessness. In Alameda County, those aged below 18 represent 25% of all individuals experiencing homelessness. It is noteworthy to mention that for the City of Oakland Head Start Program, out of the 479 participating families during the program year 2022–23, 104 (amounting to 21.7%) are currently or have formerly faced homelessness. In 2021, as per U.S. Census data, 13% of Oakland's sub-five population were living below the poverty line.
The mobile classroom is intended to deliver top-notch infant, toddler, and preschool early care and education services per the home-based program model. This model is developed by early childhood educators who conduct home visits and provide comprehensive child development and family support services. Importantly, it also facilitates socialization opportunities for families through activities, training, resources, and community development sessions.
First, 5 Alameda County's 2022 Oakland City Profile: Early Care and Education Data notes a significant decrease since 2006 in childcare service capacity for children aged between birth and 5 years. To further illustrate, the report brings to light a shocking "90.9% unmet need for infant and toddler care." The number of permissible centers shrank by 21.8%, and licensed family childcare took a massive hit, plummeting by 57.2%.
With these disturbing figures and the escalating needs of the community members, Oakland City's unveiling of the mobile classroom offers a promising solution for expanding childcare services, more so to areas deprived of such facilities. With backing from Region 9 Head Start, the Ready, Set, Go! Mobile Classroom intends to provide an effective alternative to conventional education, significantly benefiting families grappling with homelessness and difficulties in accessing well-established Head Start centers.
Established in 1971, the Oakland Head Start Program has been offering comprehensive, integrated services free of charge to pregnant people and children up to the age of five. The program prioritizes families experiencing homelessness and those with foster children. The focus on early learning and development, health and wellness, family well-being, and family engagement in safe and healthy environments aspires to prepare children for a successful future in both academics and life in general.
