P16 San Luis Obispo County Early Learning for All “ELFA” A Countywide Plan for Universal Access to High Quality Early Learning Opportunities

Fall of 2005 – Dr. Julian Crocker Convenes San Luis Obispo County P-16 Council Collaborative Members Dr. Julian Crocker – County Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Durgin – Provost & VP Academic Affairs, Cal Poly Barry VanderKelen – Executive Director, Community Foundation Dr. Bonnie Konopak – Dean, College of Education, Cal Poly Patrick Mullen – Director of Government Relations, PG&E Margie Perez-Sesser – ECE Instructor, Cuesta Community College Dr. Marie Rosenwasser – President, Cuesta Community College (retired) Harry Schade – VP of Student Learning, Cuesta Community College Elizabeth ‘Biz’ Steinberg – Executive Director, EOC Dr. Edward Valentine – Superintendent, San Luis Coastal Unified School District Tom Ikeda - Ikeda Brothers Farming

P-16 Initiative #1 Early Childhood Initiative Goal: All children in SLO County will have access to high quality preschool to prepare them for entering kindergarten. ECE Task Force formed in Fall 2006 to develop a local countywide plan.

Why Invest in High-Quality Preschools? $1 Invested = $3 to $17 Return Children : Are more likely to be high school graduates Are more likely to go to college Do better in reading and math Develop better social and emotional skills Have more self-confidence in the classroom Less need for Special Education services Reduced crime rate

P-16 ECE Task Force Representatives: San Luis Obispo County Office of Education Economic Opportunity Commission Cal Poly State University Cuesta Community College First 5 Commission Local Child Care Planning Council Faith-based Child Care Family Child Care Center Based Care Elementary Schools Public Health Special Education Parents

ECE Task Force Develops ELFA’s Broad Vision: All children regardless of their family’s economic status or location will have: 1)Access to high quality early learning opportunities and experiences: and 2)Access to integrated community resources and support services to assist them with the education and care of their children.

Significant Factors Addressed in the ELFA Plan 1.A system that meets the needs of families 2.Envisions high quality learning experiences built on existing systems 3.A diverse, well educated work force 4.Safe facilities that support healthy development 5.Continued funding that supports ELFA goals 6.Advocacy to create a supportive community

What We Learned –There are many quality programs in SLO county but experiences are not consistent –There is a gap in the quantity and educational background of the work force –Capacity needs are mostly met except in outlying areas

Creating a High Quality Early Learning Experience What the Task Force agreed upon: –Early learning is best when families are actively involved –Collaboration with K-12 increases success –Access to community resources and support is key –Strong, consistent staff create the relationships needed –Spaces must be safe and inviting –Programs where learning is experience based

Early Learning Educators How we recruit and retain the best educators: –Providing living wages is a significant factor in keeping qualified educators Wanted: Linguistically and culturally competent staff needed to respond to the diversity of SLO county early childhood programs.

Early Learning Settings The Facilities where children grow and learn should be: –Varied according to family needs and desires –Safe and comfortable for children, teachers and family members –Organized to support learning and exploration

Possible Funding Options Resources may come from: –Current preschool resources throughout SLO county –Creative financing –Innovative approaches –Grant funding Remember… High quality preschool actually saves money!

First Year Action Items Build communication between K-12 and preschools Create a recruitment and retention plan for ECE teachers Determine need and actions for capacity building Seek funding sources for ELFA Publicize and promote the ELFA plan county wide

Final Draft Ready for Public Review – Spring 2008 Developing awareness throughout SLO County is essential Join us in our first year initiatives! For more information go to or contact (805) www.slocoe.org We Need Your Help! Join the Dialogue