VECF Initiatives Smart Beginnings for Southside Families and Project Pathfinders June 6, 2016

About VECF  Public-private partnership founded in  Vision: Every Virginia child is prepared for school, laying the foundation for school, workforce and life success.  Mission: The non-partisan steward and capacity-builder for advancing school readiness in the Commonwealth.  We fulfill our role as private partner through focus, innovation and investment in:  Systems-Building  Quality  Research & Data

What does it take, Virginia? What does it take to build healthy, educated individuals who perform well throughout school and become productive members of society and the workforce? It starts with smart beginnings for children: A healthy birth and healthy development Supported and supportive families Enriching early learning experiences

Data-Driven Strategies

Smart Beginnings for Southside Families Partnership among Kellogg, VECF, SB Southeast, SB Danville/Pittsylvania, and SB Martinsville/Henry. Multi-year dual-generation initiative to serve 90 families in the cities of Danville, Emporia, Martinsville and the counties of Brunswick, Greensville, Pittsylvania, Henry and Sussex Eligibility: Low income, low education, young parent, 1 st pregnancy or 1st time parent of an infant Holistic approach responding to the needs and opportunities for both the adult and the young child in a home $1.1 million grant from W. K. Kellogg Foundation

Service area: Danville/Pittsylvania County Martinsville/Henry County Emporia/Greensville County and Sussex & Brunswick Counties

Vital Statistics Birth Data 2013 Danville City & Pittsylvania CoN% First Time Mothers ages High school education or less4417.8% Medicaid births % White NH % Black NH % Martinsville & Henry CountyN% First Time Mothers ages High school education or less1912.8% Medicaid births % White NH8656.6% Black NH4831.6% Hispanic1711.2% Emporia, Greensville and Brunswick and Sussex CountiesN% First Time Mothers ages yrs86 High school education or less1214.1% Medicaid births4451.2% White NH2023.3% Black NH5867.4%

2-GEN Parenting Mentorship Career counseling Educational opportunities Access to health services Relationship support Meeting developmental milestones Preventive health services Quality early education programs Positive parent-child interactions

Desired Outcomes Children will meet their developmental milestones Children will be enrolled in high quality early learning Children will be healthy and ready for school Parents will have made progress toward training or education goals Parents will meet their employment goals Increased social capital and economic opportunities Agencies will provide comprehensive services

Current Status Project Coordinator and 3 Family Coaches hired and trained Guidance and evaluation by Dr. Craig Ramey 43 families participating Average age of mother 20.6 Working closely with local referral agencies Leveraging community partnerships Barriers identified: transportation, housing, understanding eligibility requirements, child care, delays in receipt of services

Upskilling the Early Learning Workforce

Not offered at every community college. Most programs are Associate’s of Applied Science (AAS). Not offered at every community college but available online. Content and credit requirements vary (range from 12 to 27 credit hours). AAS is not designed to articulate with 4-year degree requirements. Few BA/BS programs in VA specific to EC; don’t lead to a license. Career Studies Certificate BA Degree License/EC endorsement Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood High school completer Requires BA/BS degree. License content not specific to EC. Year of supervised teaching must be sponsored by public school or accredited private school. The current PD pathway in Virginia

Overview of the Upskilling Initiative “ The most important factor in school success and learning outcomes for young children is the capabilities of the adults who support their growth and learning.” – Upskilling Virginia’s Early Learning Workforce working paper Upskilling Initiative was launched at the Federal Reserve Bank July 2015 Brought high level and multi-sector attention to the importance of the early learning workforce and the need for a cohesive system of professional development supports Highlighted current barriers to PD pathways and credentialing If we want to improve outcomes for children, especially those at risk, we must invest in the capabilities of the adults who are supporting their growth and development. 15

Outcomes from Upskilling Discussion 1.Kellogg-funded participation for VA Team in National Academy initiative 2.Establishment of School Readiness Committee starting in FY17 to bring high level, diverse attention to supporting the EC workforce 3.Scholarship and credentialing initiative funded through General Assembly: 16

Budget Item #138 T.2 in the FY17-18 biennial budget provides $600,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year to VECF to operate a scholarship program to increase the skills of Virginia’s early education workforce. In partnership with the Virginia Community College System, VECF will administer Project Pathfinders – a scholarship program for EC professionals in preschool and child care settings by accessing community college coursework and credentials. Application materials will be available summer 2016 to allow interested scholarship recipients to begin coursework in fall semester 2016.

Eligibility EC professionals seeking to complete a credential in ECE or child development through the Virginia Community College System. Currently employed in a Virginia preschool or child care setting working directly with young children (infants-prekindergarten). Priority will be given for individuals working with at-risk children based on socioeconomic factors (children benefitting from child care subsidies, qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, or participating in public preschool programs such as Head Start or VPI), and for individuals not already receiving other scholarship funds. Applicants will identify a specific credentialing goal as part of the application process. Applicants must have a letter of support from their employer.

Considerations Funding will be available for scholarship recipients to enroll in up to two courses per semester, depending on their individual professional development goals. A separate process will be available for scholarship funds to cover additional costs such as books and fees. Advising support will be available to scholarship recipients to promote retention and goal completion. Individual applications + cohort applications (convened by employers or by community college faculty). Working in sync with other scholarship programs

More than just a scholarship program… Project Pathfinders – will include efforts to smooth the career pathway for early educators by making credentials more stackable and accessible – will leverage other workforce development opportunities – will enhance quality assurance of community college coursework and Associate Degree programs – will explore employer needs and strategies – will promote the value of the early education workforce

Questions or Comments? Please contact Virginia Early Childhood Foundation