Member Agencies Department for Children & Families Kansas Children’s Cabinet & Trust Fund Kansas State Department of Education Kansas Department of Health & Environment

Birth-to-Five Regional Trainings were cross-agency, planned and coordinated ( ) A Kansas application for the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge was submitted (2011) The School Readiness Data Task Force updated the previous 2003 School Readiness (SR) Framework for a 2012 SR Framework The Kansas Early Childhood Comprehensive System (KECCS) plan was developed based upon SR Framework (2006, 2009)

Represent Kansas state agencies as a collective voice on early childhood from birth to after kindergarten entry. Plan and initiate cross-agency unified efforts and outreach directed toward development of a comprehensive early childhood system utilizing the school readiness framework as our vision.

Working toward a cohesive, statewide action plan to guide a time-defined implementation plan. Facilitating cross-agency unified efforts to support early childhood comprehensive systems development. Assuming responsibility for actions that generate a systemic, cross-agency infrastructure to support programs’ work.

Relying on data to assess the early childhood system’s functioning and the resultant well-being of children and families. Providing strategic input to agency leadership and external stakeholders/networks regarding early childhood programs and services. Facilitating increased service coordination. Reducing duplication.

Developing intentional and focused relationships with constituencies and early childhood partners - serving the work of developing a comprehensive early childhood system Being recognized as a state agency early childhood professional team. Recognized as a policy voice at the state level Team’s views are sought when recommendations are being considered at the state level.

Early childhood programs and services are increasingly well- coordinated, demonstrate effectiveness, and work together toward children’s school readiness.

SR Framework (2012)KECCS (2009)

Acknowledgement of SR Framework as the State’s Vision for School Readiness Developed a matrix showing how SR Framework and KECCS are integrated

KANSAS SCHOOL READINESS FRAMEWORK is the State’s Vision for School Readiness

Developed by a cross-sector School Readiness Data Task Force that was convened by the Kansas State Department of Education and the Early Childhood Advisory Council. Task Force members represent Early Childhood: Center-Based settings Home-Based Settings School-Based Settings Professional Development Services Mental Health Services Institutes of Higher Education Research Organizations State Agencies and Organizations

School readiness occurs within a broad context that includes the four components of community, educational environment, family, and the individual child. These four components function as interdependent systems of support that have multi-directional influences. An effective foundation for school readiness involves policy, funding and systems for children that support their ability to thrive and their success in learning environments throughout their lifespan.

The Preamble expresses the deeply held belief that the Four Components of the School Readiness Framework and the Surrounding elements of Policy, Funding, and System Supports are all critical to the achievement of School Readiness. All Four Components are interdependent and interact to promote school readiness prior to kindergarten entry. There are 7 Guiding Principles for school readiness that were revised and updated by the School Readiness Data Task Force

The School Readiness indicators for each Component are recommended for assessing the status of school readiness in Kansas. COMMUNITYEDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FAMILYCHILD

The School Readiness Data Task Force was charged with: Identifying quantifiable and measureable Data Elements that can be used by the State’s Early Childhood data system to assess the status of family, educational environment, community, and child readiness.

A shared reference point that can promote school readiness by promoting aligned programs, services, regulations, policies and practices.

Promote purposeful and focused planning to achieve the Vision of School Readiness Create a shared framework for data-based decisions across agencies, organizations and programs Develop a data collection process that facilitates inclusion of school readiness data in the State Longitudinal Data System

The State Agencies EC Leadership team is requesting support for the Kansas School Readiness Framework. What this means: The Framework is used as a guiding structure for decisions around School Readiness questions, practices, processes at the state and local levels. The Framework is the structure for School Readiness decisions at the state and local levels.

COMMUNITY What services are available in your community to support pregnant women and families with children? Is quality child care available in your communities? Does your community have affordable oral health services for pregnant women and families with children? Do the schools in your community allow community functions to use school buildings? EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT Do the preschools and child care centers employ qualified educators? Do the child care centers/preschools in your community have appropriate adult-child ratios in their classrooms? Are the curricula used in the communities’ preschools, child care centers, and other early educational environments grounded in scientific research? Do early childhood educators engage in ongoing collaboration with families around their child’s education?

FAMILY Are the families and homes in your community free of child abuse and neglect? Are homes free of toxic exposure (chemicals, lead, etc.)? Do families with children have a fixed nighttime residence? Are families in your community aware of resources for selecting and accessing quality child care? CHILD Do children in your community have a healthy weight for their age? Do children in your community have good oral health? Do children in your community demonstrate appropriate communication and literacy skills? Do the children in your community demonstrate mental well-being?

Integrate the KECCS and the School Readiness Framework Work to align policies, procedures, and practices across state agency early childhood programs

Help us get started!

Department for Children and Families Carrie Hastings, Children’s Services Manager Kim Kennedy, (Co-Chair) Head Start State Collaboration Director Margaret Brumberg, Kansas Early Head Start Program Manager Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund Jane Weiler, Early Childhood Director Kansas Department of Health and Environment Debbie Richardson, Home Visiting Program Manager Lori Steelman, Program Director Child Care Licensing Sabra Shirrell, Director, Children and Families Section Sarah Walters, Part C Coordinator Kansas State Department of Education Gayle Stuber, Early Childhood Coordinator Janet Newton, (Chair) Parents as Teachers Coordinator Tiffany Smith, Part B Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator

What are your thoughts suggestions ideas for next steps? Janet Newton: or Kim Kennedy