DUTIES : The Early Care and Education Commission studies, evaluates, reviews and provides advice to the City Council, the City Manager and department heads designated by the City Manager on all matters and issues related to childcare, early childhood education, child development, and other issues concerning young children ages 0- 5 years and their families. The Commission also performs studies and submits reports and recommendations to the City Council on early childhood education and care matters as the Council may request.

RELATIONSHIPS : The City Council is the final decision-making body and the Early Care and Education Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the Council.

QUALIFICATIONS : The Commission consists of thirteen members who shall have demonstrated an interest in the issues related to the provision of childcare services, early childhood education and child development. Commissioners must be residents of San Jose and cannot be City employees.

MEETINGS : The Commission meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M. at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 East San Fernando Street, Room 225B. (Meeting dates which fall on a holiday will be scheduled for the preceding Monday.) On average, Commissioners spend two hours at the monthly meetings and 1-3 hours at special meetings.

BENEFITS : There is no compensation for the members of the Early Care and Education Commission. However, from time to time, Commission Members may be reimbursed for some expenses incurred on City business.

POLITICAL REFORM ACT : The Conflict of Interest Section of the Political Reform Act applies to the Early Care and Education Commission; however, Commission Members are not required to file a Statement of Economic Interests.

APPOINTMENT PROCESS : All applications received are submitted to the Project Diversity Screening Committee for review according to the needs of the Commission as specified in a Needs Assessment Memo. Applications will be forwarded to the City Attorney for a Conflict of Interest review and thereafter, the applicants will be asked to appear before the Screening Committee Members for an interview. Following interviews, the Screening Committee will develop a list of applicants which will be submitted to the Council Member Liaison to the Commission. The Liaison will forward the list to the Rules Committee of Council either with or without a supplemental recommendation. The City Council makes the final appointment to the Commission based on Rules Committee recommendations.

ATTENDANCE POLICY : Commission Members are expected to attend all Commission Meetings. San Jose Municipal Code Section 2.08.060 specifies that a Commission Member who has unexcused absences from any three consecutive regular meetings, or 20% of the meetings in a calendar year, is deemed to have resigned from the Commission

For further information about the Commission, please contact the Commission Staff at (408) 808-2617