Florence Crittenton Services' commitment to high-quality child care means more than focusing only on our own primary service centers. Throughout the city, Family Home Providers struggle to balance quality care with solid business practices. Often, many are left feeling isolated and overwhelmed, lacking essential access to professional development necessary to maintain state-of-the-art policies and procedures.

Our Child Care Provider Peer Mentorship program provides support, training and networking opportunities for other agencies in San Francisco. In collaboration with the Citywide Asian Provider Network, the Hispanic Childcare Network, and the African American Provider Network, participants work with knowledgeable and experienced provider-mentors, receiving language- and culture-specific instruction and support within monthly forums.

The Citywide Asian Child Care Provider Network meets the first Sunday of every month, unless there is a major holiday, from 12 noon till 3:00 pm at 137 Nueva Avenue. Interested providers are encouraged to call Angela Siharath at 415-467-5856 for more information.

The Hispanic Childcare Providers Network meets the last Thursday of every month, unless there is a major holiday, from 6:30-8:30 pm at the offices of Children's Council of San Francisco, Room 120, 445 Church Street. Interested providers are encouraged to call Milagros Acosta or Carmen Maldonado at 415-695-1940 or 415-864-1903 for more information.

The African American Provider Network meets the second Tuesday of every month, unless there is a major holiday, from 6:30-8:00 pm at 101 Hahn Street. Interested providers are encouraged to call Polly's Family Resource Center at (415) 239-4605 for more information and meeting confirmation.

Are you interested in learning more about this valuable opportunity for collaboration and skills building? Please contact Margaret Jerene, FCS' Executive Director, at (415) 567-2357, ext. 104.