Local Early Childhood Advisory Councils Orientation Meeting October 1, 2012 Local Early Childhood Advisory Councils Orientation: 5 Step Process Valerie Smirlock Early Childhood Advisory Council Coordinator Maryland State Department of Education Division of Early Childhood Development

Step 1: Establishment of a Local Early Childhood Advisory Council

Step 2: Submit Application Planning Grant Grant application in packet Application must be received by December 1, 2012 $3,000 available per jurisdiction Funding is to offset start-up costs of preliminary council meetings such as travel reimbursement, copies, meeting space, stipends, etc.

Step 3: Council Leadership Development Develop leadership and analyze needs assessment to establish a baseline of birth through five early childhood education system Develop an action plan that addresses local needs and aligns with the Governor’s State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care and the goals and objectives of the Race To The Top: Early Learning Challenge to reform and improve school readiness for all children, especially those with high needs Leadership Academy for Early Childhood Councils provided by Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF)(two 2 day sessions) and customized regional training for local council leadership teams (three 2 day sessions)

Step 3: Council Leadership Development Continued (Excerpt from the Recommended By Laws) Council Functions Establish annual benchmarks of school readiness skills of children entering kindergarten. Conduct a periodic local needs assessment concerning the quality and availability of early childhood education and development programs and services. Develop an action plan for increasing the overall participation of children in existing programs, including outreach to underrepresented and special populations, elevating the quality of existing programs and coordinating the RTT-ELC goals and objectives at the local level. Coordinate locally the projects in Maryland’s Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge, as well as other early childhood initiatives and reforms. Report progress or challenges on items 1-6 to the Governor’s State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care, including quarterly submission of local council attendance rosters, meeting minutes and an annual report on local council action plans.

Step 4: Submit Action Plan & Implementation Grant Application for Local Council Funding Participation in the Leadership Academy for Early Childhood Councils with AECF is a prerequisite to apply for grant funding to for the purpose of implementing a local action plan to improve school readiness. Councils may submit grant applications with their action plans between January-October Total state funding available is $1,080, Funding allocation is based on a base grant amount of $10,000 plus a funding formula that takes into account the number of children birth-five, in the jurisdiction and the number of children in high risk categories, including children with disabilities, children who are English Language Learners, and children in low income families. Councils must allocate 5% of their total funding for technical assistance costs.

Step 4: Continued This is a non-competitive grant application process that includes a description of the action plan, budget narrative and MSDE Budget Forms and Assurances. The funding will be awarded to the local Government County Executive’s office or the local school system (local council choice) Key personnel: Project Manager Reporting fiscal requirements will be provided with the grant application, such as 15% of the funds will accompany the issuance of the award Reimbursement of invoices for the remaining funds

Step 5: Implementation of Action Plan and Funding Reporting programmatic requirements include: Notice of Grant Awards will be made on a rolling basis but no later than November 30, 2013 (based on submission date of grant application and action plan), Mid-year and annual reports on progress or barriers of the action plans, goals and objectives, Fiscal reporting should align with progress reports, Technical assistance and support will be provided by the MSDE, Division of Early Childhood Development and the Governor’s State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Care and Education Joint Meeting of the Governor’s Council and Leadership from each local council scheduled for December 5, 2012.

Notify MSDE of selected Council and membership representation Submit planning grant application – Attend Leadership Academies for Early Childhood Councils Process Time Line

– Attend Customized Regional Leadership Training and develop action plan (schedule available today) – Submit implementation grant application with action plan (rolling submission) 6 By Receive Notice of Grant Award (awards will be made between Jan.- Nov based on date of application) Timeline Continued

Implement action plans by 24 fully functional local early childhood councils Submit Programmatic and fiscal midterm report, (technical assistance available) Submit Programmatic and fiscal annual report, (technical assistance available) Timeline Continued

Question & Answer Forum following lunch! Ongoing Technical Assistance and support provided by: Governor’s State Advisory Council on Early Education and Care MSDE staff from the Division of Early Childhood Development

Communication Strategies RTT ELC will host a website by projects Project 1: Statewide Local Early Childhood Advisory Councils may include: Meeting descriptions and agendas The Annie E. Casey Foundation Training Schedule and updates Technical Assistance and request forms Evaluation feedback Photo galleries Achievements and Accomplishments Section Local Action Plans Links to local jurisdiction websites RTT ELC Monthly Newsletters