Independent schooling options in Watsonville, California

Pacific Coast Charter School is a renowned secondary school located at 294 Green Valley Road in Watsonville, California, United States. Known for its innovative approach to education, the school offers personalized learning experiences for students in a supportive and inclusive environment. With a focus on academic excellence and individual growth, Pacific Coast Charter School is committed to helping students reach their full potential and achieve their goals. The school's dedicated faculty and staff work closely with students to provide a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in college and beyond. Visit Pacific Coast Charter School and discover a dynamic learning community where every student is valued and empowered to succeed.

Head Start, located at 225 Westridge Drive in Watsonville, California, is a school that offers Child and Family Development Programs for children from birth to five years old. The institution recognizes the importance of early childhood development and provides enriching programs to support children and families during this crucial period. The Early Head Start program offers home visiting services for pregnant women and children ages 0-3, as well as a center-based option for children 6-36 months. These programs focus on building a strong foundation for growth and learning in the very first stages of life, with services available throughout Santa Cruz County.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is located at 18 West Lake Avenue in Watsonville, California, United States. This institution is a nutrition assistance program that reimburses food for licensed caregivers, providing healthy meals to support both children and adults in our community. CACFP is part of the Community Bridges family of programs. A nutrition consultant will visit your home three times a year to observe meal service and provide education on nutrition, health, and safety. This vital initiative offers financial support to eligible care providers for providing nutritious meals to infants, children, and adults in various care settings. Organizations and providers that participate in CACFP adhere to USDA nutritional guidelines and receive cash reimbursements for qualifying meals. Child care centers, adult day care centers, afterschool programs, and emergency shelters can engage with CACFP independently or through a sponsoring organization like Community Bridges. Day care home providers are exclusively part of the CACFP through a sponsoring organization. Interested organizations can contact Community Bridges' CACFP program to participate in the program. For additional information, visit the California Department of Social Services CACFP website. Eligible organizations must meet certain requirements to participate in CACFP under components like Child Care, Adult Day Care, Emergency Shelter, At-risk Afterschool Meals, and Day Care Homes. To apply for CACFP, organizations must contact Community Bridges, attend an orientation session, complete an agreement form and site applications, and have parents complete enrollment forms for each child. Home visits will be conducted after orientation, and providers can start keeping records for reimbursement. For more information, interested care providers can visit the USDA CACFP website. Additionally, there are resources available for child care providers to promote health and prevent childhood obesity, such as curriculum, training, and tips on healthy eating on a budget. Parents can also access resources for reading to children and cooking healthy meals. The SHINE program offers Meal Quality Forums to enhance the nutrition environment of early child care programs through the CACFP Meal Pattern. Tips are also provided for parents to help kids maintain a healthy weight and prevent obesity.

Head Start/State Preschool (TJC) is a school located at 201 Brewington Avenue in Watsonville, California, United States. Recently, they welcomed U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren to tour their former Sí Se Puede (SSP) Residential Program site, which will soon be replaced with a new state-of-the-art SSP Behavioral Health Center. This new center will offer expanded access to services including substance use disorder residential treatment, outpatient programs, and Medication Addiction Treatment (MAT) for adults and Transition Age Youth (ages 18-24). Encompass Community Services, the parent organization, received its first three-year CARF accreditation in July 2019 and was reaccredited in 2022. CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body focused on promoting quality services and enhancing the lives of those served. Donations of goods and services to Encompass Community Services are welcome to support their mission. For more information, visit their office at 380 Encinal St, Suite 200 in Santa Cruz or call (831) 469-1700.

Social Vocational Services is a non-profit organization located at 1875 Main Street in Watsonville, California. We are dedicated to providing vocational training and support services to individuals with disabilities in order to help them achieve their full potential and lead independent, fulfilling lives. Our programs focus on skill development, job placement, and community integration, empowering our clients to build successful careers and contribute to society. With a team of dedicated professionals and a supportive environment, Social Vocational Services is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.