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BCC Selected to Lead East Bay Early Childhood Education & Teacher Preparation Regional Network

Tom Rizza
4 min read
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Berkeley City College (BCC), in partnership with the Bay Area Community College Consortium (BACCC), has been selected to lead the newly established East Bay Early Childhood Education and Education (ECE/EDU) Regional Network, a two-year regional initiative dedicated to strengthening educator workforce pathways throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

The Network will bring together ten community colleges, county offices of education, universities, workforce organizations, employers, First 5 agencies, and community partners to develop and expand career pathways in ECE, preK-12 education, and expanded learning, ensuring equitable access to program participants and addressing the workforce needs of the East Bay. Participating colleges include Chabot College, College of Alameda, Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College, Laney College, Las Positas College, Los Medanos College, Merritt College, and Ohlone College.

The initiative builds on the regional foundation established through BACCC’s Early Childhood Education and Education Regional Joint Venture that brought together colleges and partners around shared ECE and educator workforce priorities, strengthened regional collaboration, and created momentum for this next phase of work.

The selection as the lead institution reflects longstanding commitment to educator preparation, workforce development, and regional partnership shared by Berkeley City College President Denise Richardson and Workforce Development Director Ilona McGriff. Since 2015, BCC has been at the forefront of building and sustaining registered apprenticeships for early educators, caregivers, and expanded learning program leaders in collaboration with employers and workforce partners, including Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS), a statewide ECE apprenticeship intermediary and sponsor. These pioneering models align with and encourage the priorities in California’s Vision 2030 and The Road to 500,000 Apprentices.

BCC will convene and connect expertise across the East Bay, strengthening existing partnerships and supporting colleges and regional partners to develop shared solutions to educator workforce challenges. The effort will focus on:

  • Strengthening and aligning educator preparation pathways
  • Improving student navigation, career advancement, and transfer
  • Expanding apprenticeship and other educator workforce pathways
  • Strengthening employer and regional partnerships
  • Developing shared resources and sustainable regional infrastructure

Joya Chavarin, Ed.D., Faculty Coordinator of Berkeley City College’s Teacher Preparation Program, will serve as Project Lead for the Network. Emphasizing the collaborative vision, she explained:

The East Bay ECE/EDU Regional Network represents an exciting opportunity to build upon outstanding work taking place across the region and strengthen educator pathways through shared leadership, regional collaboration, and a collective commitment to student success.

Sara Goldware, Regional Director, East Bay, Bay Area Community College Consortium (BACCC) spoke to the benefits of Network for students:

Backed by Strong Workforce Program Regional dollars, this initiative will encourage the development of seamless pathways for students attending multiple colleges, expand apprenticeships, and ensure that students transition smoothly from enrollment to credentials and quality employment.

Network implementation begins Fall 2026 with Steering Committee formation, regional partner engagement, governance development, and planning for the inaugural East Bay ECE/EDU Regional Convening.

Berkeley City College, one of four colleges in the Peralta Community College District, is committed to preparing students for transfer, career advancement, and lifelong learning through innovative academic programs and strong community partnerships. The College's Teacher Preparation Program supports future educators through high-quality coursework, transfer pathways, and collaborative partnerships that strengthen California's educator workforce.