As declining birth rates leave school districts with shuttered campuses, communities face a growing mismatch between unused public facilities and the urgent need for accessible childcare. Rise Vallejo emerged as an innovative response to this challenge, a first-of-its-kind model that transforms surplus public-school infrastructure into a thriving early education and community resource hub.

 

We have created a guidebook that tells the story of how First 5 Solano, Child Start, Inc., and the Solano County Office of Education partnered to bring this vision to life.

 

It explores how the idea was conceived, the cross-sector collaboration that made it possible, and the key steps, strategies, and considerations that shaped its development. More than a case study, this guidebook offers a practical roadmap for leaders and communities seeking bold, scalable solutions. We hope partners across the state can use this to gain actionable insights on navigating complex systems, building strong partnerships, and repurposing underutilized public assets to expand access to childcare and better support children, families, and early educators.