Howard County Early Childhood Advisory Council Lisa J. Davis, Coordinator, HCPSS Early Childhood Programs Maryland Family Engagement Summit July 26, 2018

ECAC Details Officially formed in 2013; reorganization of an Early Childhood Coalition that was in existence for many years Co-chaired by Howard County Public School System and Howard County Office of Children & Families Diverse group of regularly attending stakeholders and high- functioning subcommittees

HCECAC Membership HC Office of Children & Families HCPSS HC Head Start HC Library System HCPSS Infants & Toddlers HCPSS Title I Parents as Teachers HC Recreation & Parks Columbia Association Howard Community College Child Care Centers Family Child Care Providers Nursery Schools Judy Center HCPSS Administrators Community Businesses HC Department of Social Services HC Health Department Community Members MD EXCELS Pediatricians/HC Hospital

Howard County Kindergarten readiness assessment (KRA) Data 54% demonstrate readiness 3,869 kindergarteners 31% assessed Nearly, 4,000 children entered Howard County’s kindergarten classrooms. Teachers used the KRA tool to assess 31% of kindergarteners. 54% of the County’s kindergarteners demonstrate readiness, entering classrooms fully prepared to participate in the kindergarten curriculum.

Howard County Kindergarten readiness assessment (KRA) Data

Howard County Kindergarten readiness assessment (KRA) Data

Over 1,000 parents reached each year Valuable feedback helps to reshape the event every year to better meet parents’ needs Focus on supporting the journey for the child and the family What is school readiness, what does kindergarten look like, details about kindergarten registration – and a strong balance between academic and social-emotional

OUR ECAC Seeks to inform and EVOLVES TO MEET NEEDS Fetal / Infant Mortality Review – Community Action Team County Council Early Childhood Action Group Recommendations Commercial Family Engagement Products Annual Engagement Topics / Social Media Planning Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) Data Discussion Dual Language Learners / Cultural Proficiency

OUR ECAC Seeks to inform and EVOLVES TO MEET NEEDS PANEL PRESENTATION 2016 Family Engagement Strategies Being Implemented Across Howard County Public Library: Enhancing relationships with parents (classes are for parents, too, not just children) Infants and Toddlers: How to get families involved in helping their children to make progress HCPSS Early Childhood: Learning Parties to support parents and children Judy Center: Creative ways to find and engage families over time Pediatrician: Talking to parents about developmental milestones and how to use teachable moments

OUR ECAC Seeks to inform and EVOLVES TO MEET NEEDS PANEL PRESENTATION 2017 Supporting International Families: HC Head Start- Family Service Worker Howard Community College- English Institute Coordinator and Family Advisor HCPSS International Office- Hispanic Achievement Specialist and International (Chin) Achievement Liaison Foreign Born Information and Referral Network (FIRN)- Program leader Questions for panelists: What do you do that supports international families and children (immigrant families, dual language learners, etc.)? What are some effective ways to gain understanding of a family’s culture and to build trust (i.e. How do you connect with families?) What have you learned about families’ needs through the work that you do? Reflections for audience: Wow I didn’t know that! This reminds me of something I already do. I still have questions about this. I can use this idea, I’d like to follow up on it.

OUR ECAC Seeks to inform and EVOLVES TO MEET NEEDS PANEL PRESENTATION 2017-2018 Working with Vulnerable Populations Grassroots Shelter (Homeless Families) Howard County Government Multi-Service Center (Low-Income Families or Families with Other Needs) HC Office of Children & Families (Multi-Generational Families) NAMI HC (National Alliance on Mental Illness) PFLAG HC (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)

Openness. Sharing. Trust. Connections. Relationships. OUR ECAC Openness. Sharing. Trust. Connections. Relationships. We have to recognize what people are bringing to the table with regards to getting kids ready for school

Mental Health Advisory Council that will ECAC INFLUENCE HCPSS has just formed a Mental Health Advisory Council that will function similarly to the ECAC.

Community responsibility Our ECAC is making a concerted effort to engage: Political community Health community Faith community Business community Our children are relying on ALL of us.

Open to community Included County Executive, School Superintendent, Hospital CEO, Chamber of Commerce President, etc. Shared KRA data Advertised various ECAC initiatives Call to action!