This report describes one piece of the state's approach to building and maintaining a QRIS, namely first year of the CSPP Block Grant program. California's QRIS is distinct from other states' systems, including in its emphasis on local control. To understand how counties prioritize investments in high-quality early learning and how the effort is shaping local efforts, we examined county applications for funding from the first year of the CSPP Block Grant. We describe how counties proposed to allocate funding; highlight goals that counties aim to achieve with continued funding; and discuss the recent changes to the Block Grant outlined in the Governor's 2016-17 budget proposal. Our findings assume that counties spent funds in accordance with the plans outlined in their proposals. Finally, we offer recommendations for the future of this and other state investments. (author abstract)