The Planning Council provides a forum to identify local child care priorities to fulfill those priorities, recommend the allocation of child care funds, collaborate with existing child care programs, and provide a unified integrated system of service for children and families.

The Planning Council includes representatives from a variety of different organizations and agencies including city and county government, school districts, public health, social services, non-profit child care and development agencies, community colleges, and family and center-based child providers. All meetings are made public and members of the public are encouraged to attend meetings and participate.