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Kids Running

UPK Implementation in Nevada County 

Curious about what is happening with Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) implementation in Nevada County? Explore the resources below to engage with our UPK Specialist and to learn more about the Mixed Delivery Workgroup, ELC Facility Needs Study, and the Nevada County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

Joelle Faulkner

Continuous Improvement Specialist - UPK
Nevada County Superintendent of Schools

joellefaulkner@nevco.org
530.478.6400 ext. 2055

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​Have questions about UPK? Contact our UPK Specialist!

As the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Program Specialist, Joelle Faulkner is committed to ensuring that every child has access to high-quality, inclusive early learning opportunities. She supports families in exploring and accessing the preschool and Transitional Kindergarten (TK) options that best meet their needs, and is available as a resource to district and charter school staff on all aspects of TK implementation.​

Nevada County UPK
Mixed-Delivery Workgroup

Decades of research show that early learning builds a powerful foundation for success in school and in life. Children who attend high-quality preschool enter kindergarten stronger in literacy, language, math, and social-emotional skills—and are more likely to thrive long term.


A core goal of the Nevada County UPK Mixed-Delivery Workgroup is ensuring that every child—regardless of income, location, or learning needs—has access to a high-quality early learning experience. By coordinating efforts across schools, early learning providers, and community partners, the Workgroup is expanding access, aligning services, and strengthening Nevada County’s early learning system.

To align, coordinate, and expand UPK planning and services across Nevada County so that every child has access to high-quality, full- and part-day preschool opportunities that meet family needs.

Overarching Goal

The Nevada County UPK Mixed-Delivery Workgroup is working to:

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  • Collaborate with school districts (LEAs) and early learning providers

  • Support and strengthen UPK implementation

  • Ensure equitable access for every 3- and 4-year-old child in Nevada County

Four-Year Commitment (2022–2026)

Focus Areas

  1. Supporting UPK planning and capacity building to ensure high-quality options meet community needs

  2. Increasing access to high-quality UPK options and coordinated services

  3. Expanding inclusion of children with exceptional needs

  4. Supporting workforce pathways and professional learning (curriculum, instruction, and assessment)

  5. Family outreach services and enrollment support

  6. Partnering with tribes

  7. LEA facilities, services, and operations

By strengthening collaboration and aligning resources, the Nevada County UPK Mixed-Delivery Workgroup is helping build a seamless early learning system. Families will have clear, accessible pathways to preschool programs, and children will be better prepared to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.

Why This Matters

ELC Facility Needs Study

The LPC has funded a  comprehensive Early Learning and Care Facilities and Economic Benefit Study by Brion Economics to evaluate early learning and care facilities in Nevada County. A central focus of the study will be to identify expansion opportunities that align facility capacity with the projected increase in families by 2030.

 

This study is currently in process, but will be posted here once finalized.

ELC Facility Needs Study Report

(Coming Soon)

Nevada County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)

The Nevada County 2025-2027 Community Health Improvement  Plan (CHIP) guides the county's public health initiatives during this time period.  Recognizing that the health of a community begins with its youngest members, the CHIP Steering Committee included Early Learning and Care as one of its three goal areas. 

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You can learn more about the CHIP at https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/3757/Community-Health-Improvement-Project

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Contact Information

640 E Main St Ste #3, Grass Valley, CA 95945

530.271.0258

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