Therapeutic Child Care Center (TCCC)

The TCCC is open for in-person learning. Call 707-253-6992 for more information.

The TCCC provides enhanced infant-parent mental health services and child development services for children birth to age three (0-3), through a partnership between Napa County Health and Human Services (HHSA) Public Health and Child Start Inc.

Since March 2001 the TCCC has served children and families who are connected to a number of HHSA programs. Unique characteristics of the TCCC include a focus on the emotional and physical development of infants and young children, parent-child relationships and family support. Children enrolled at the TCCC make significant gains in overall cognitive, psychological and social functioning and many families expand their relational and parenting capacities. Developmental assessments are made bi-annually and early intervention is provided when appropriate.

Enrollment

If you are interested in applying please click on the link below to learn more or stop by the TCCC office in person to apply (highly encouraged so you can meet the TCCC team!). Questions? Call 707-253-6992, M-Th 8-5.

TCCC Description and Agency Referral Form (for referring agency and CBOs. Service providers, please start here).

Click here to submit an application online (click on Early Head Start option, application available in English and Spanish).

TCCC Facility

The TCCC has three classrooms for kids ages 0-3. HHSA Public Health provides the therapeutic team consisting of a Clinical Psychologist, a Mental Health Therapist and an Office Assistant. In addition to child care, a site supervisor and a family services partner are funded by Child Start Inc. As a team, TCCC staff provide consistent, predictable care-giving that benefits children who are mastering relational and developmental milestones, and parents who are navigating increasingly complex parenting tasks.

A baby’s development, cognitive abilities, social-emotional capacities and future health and well-being are established very early in childhood, and occur in the context of the consistent, nurturing and loving relationships with parent and caregivers. In the book, Neurons to Neighborhoods-2002, the National Academy of Sciences states infants and children “grow and thrive in the context of close and dependable relationships that provide love and nurturance, security, responsive interaction and encouragement for exploration". Without at least one relationship, the child’s development is disrupted, and the consequences can be severe and long-lasting. Early difficulties are extremely difficult to change later in the child’s life and windows of opportunity exist for forming secure attachments, positive infant mental health, learning capacity and reaching one’s full potential.

Click here for more information on the Therapeutic Model

Goals of the TCCC

• Break the cycle of vulnerability and repetition for high-risk children and families
• Support children and their caregivers in forming strong, functional and resilient attachments, and support children in secondary attachment to caregiver/teachers
• Support babies and children in learning to give, receive and respond to clear and congruent cues
• Support babies and children in developing self-regulation and mutual regulation capacities
• Provide an enriched environment to support all domains of child development
• Support parents in their own emotional development and in developing parenting skills in a supportive setting