is a service of the Conference Call Series on Early Childhood Inclusion Effective Strategies for Supporting Local Partnerships to Promote Inclusive Practices March 17, 2009

Presenters and Facilitators Susan Rohrbough, National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center (NCCIC) Ruth Littlefield, 619 Coordinator, New Hampshire Joan Izen, PTAN Project Director, New Hampshire Mary Peters, 619 Coordinator, Wisconsin Marcia Flaherty, Director of instruction, Manitowoc Public Schools, WI. Debbie Cate & Kathy Whaley, NECTAC 2

Webinar Goals Gain information about conceptual frameworks that can be used to better understand characteristics of partnerships and interagency relationships. Gain information about state level strategies to promote and support interagency partnerships and relationships at the local level. Gain information about tools and resources used by state and local partners to promote and sustain inclusive practices. 3

Information Sharing Collaborative principles & practices Role & function strategies Cross-system, cross-sector considerations 4

Partnership Information Collaborative leadership Collaboration frameworks  Duration and intensity Elements of successful partnerships 5

Collaborative Leadership Collaborative Leadership is developed by a group that is partnering to solve agreed upon issues. Leaders of the group use supportive and inclusive methods to insure that those they represent are part of the change process. Source: Turning Point. (n.d.). Fundamental concepts: Facilitator’s guide. Retrieved February 5, 2009, from damental_concepts_manual_facilitators_guide.pdf damental_concepts_manual_facilitators_guide.pdf 6

Collaborative Leadership Guiding Principles 1.Assessing the Environment 2.Developing clarity 3.Building trust 4.Sharing power and influence 5.Developing people 6.Self reflection 7

Collaboration Pyramid Cooperation Coordination Collaboration Communication Source: Kagan, S.L. (1991). United we stand: Collaboration for child care and early education services. New York, NY: Teachers College Press. 8

CooperationCoordinationCollaboration Shorter-term informal relations No clearly defined Mission Structure Planning Each organization Shares little Retains authority Keeps resources separate No risk Formal relationships Understood mission Coordinated effort Longer-term specific interaction Planning & division of roles Open communication channels between organizations Risk increases Power can be an issue Resources & rewards shared Durable relationship Become new, committed structure Full commitment Common mission Comprehensive planning Well-defined communication New structure determines authority Risk is much greater Partners contribute resources & reputation Power can be unequal Re­sources, results & rewards shared Lower Intensity Higher intensity Collaboration Continuum Key Relationships and Work 9

Adequate funding Resource management Time Staffing Environment (i.e., facility and space) Equipment and supplies Effective communication systems Detailed, comprehensive planning Service delivery Policies and procedures Ongoing evaluation and improvement Shared vision Mutual respect Attitude, beliefs, and values Skills Knowledge RESOURCESSYSTEMSPEOPLE Key Elements of Successful Partnerships 10

Determine convener(s) and facilitation Provide small and large group experiences Build on assets and strengths Strategic and operational planning Individual and group engagement Team-building and group process Shared vision Mutual respect Attitude, beliefs, and values Skills Knowledge ACTION STRATEGY PEOPLE Partnerships Into Action 11

Establish cross- system, cross- sector work groups Provide professional development opportunities Set meeting and communication schedule Systems development & implementation Joint, coordinated service efforts Procedural guidance Assessing our work Communication systems Comprehensive planning Service delivery Policies and procedures Ongoing evaluation and improvement ACTIONSTRATEGYSYSTEMS Partnerships Into Action 12

Determine community assets Create a Partnership Management role or position Conduct a review of setting and space Diversify resources Partnership management Environment/ space assessment Adequate funding Resource management Time Staffing Environment (i.e., facility and space) Equipment and supplies ACTIONSTRATEGYRESOURCES Partnerships Into Action 13

Cross-system, Cross-sector Considerations Creating/using frameworks or models Acknowledging the role of, and attention to, ‘people’ Responding proactively to system effects Managing resources 14

State Dialogue with New Hampshire and Wisconsin: Sharing Experiences and Lessons Learned 15

New Hampshire: Partnerships People: Identified shared vision for inclusion of preschoolers with disabilities in child care Systems: Worked cross-systems to develop strategy for improvement Resources: PTAN and State Personnel

New Hampshire PTAN Child Care Inclusion Project DOE Bureau of Special Education  Priority: Preschool LRE DHHS Child Development Bureau  Priority: Decrease expulsion of children with challenging behaviors  Priority: Increase child care placement options for parents of children with special needs. 17

Services for Young Children & Families in Wisconsin Birth to Six Collaborations Comprehensive System Approach Mental Health & Social Emotional Development Early Care and Education Parent Education Family Support Health and Medical Home 18

Networks and Community Partnerships Networks & Community Partnerships Wisconsin Early Childhood Collaborating Partners Regional Action Teams Braided Funding for Regional Minigrants, Community Collaboration Coaches Action Plans for regional initiatives and personnel development across sectors Wisconsin 19

System of Personnel Development State Personnel Development Grant Priority Areas: Early Transitions, Early Educational Environments, and the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards Statewide training conducted Includes information for community approaches to expanding service delivery options for children with disabilities Wisconsin 20

New Hampshire’s Effective Partnership At the local level - People: common goal of inclusion, need to build respect, skills and knowledge Systems: Need to coordinate efforts for young children and develop systems Resources: Assessment of what each partner can bring to the table (more than fiscal) 21

Promoting Preschool Partnerships Pilot Project PTAN Advisory Committee Development of a Self-Assessment Tool –Accessing Services –Acquire/Share info –Planning/Provide services –Admin support 22

Early Childhood Program Support Leadership Early Childhood Program Support /Leadership Preschool Discretionary Grants Common role in each region SPP Priorities Environments, Child Outcomes, and Transitions (B 6, 7 & 12) Support LEAs and community approaches Regional Services Network Wisconsin 23

services/special/ec/mini-grants/index.htm Statewide Support Personnel Development Mini Grant Process 24

Using the Collaboration Tool in New Hampshire to Promote Inclusion Pilot Project: 2 communities, urban and rural –Preschool Special Ed Coordinator –Child Care Director –Parent of a child who receives services from both programs Pilot Teams meet with Advisory Committee - Used facilitators - Decision makers Revisions to Self-Assessment Tool and Action Plan Form - Minor language changes - Evidence box Planning for statewide implementation 25

State Wide Training 26

Inclusive Practices in Wisconsin Building collaborative relationships Establish multi-agency planning councils Inclusive staff development: Convenient times, substitute teachers, systematic and continuous Respectful itinerant services 27

Impact of the Self-Assessment Tool - Better lines of communication - Preschool special education coordinator includes child care colleague in all staff communications - Common and consistent language used - Less “we”-”them” - Using same communication notebook - Parent feels more connected and heard - Shared daily journals for children - Parent feels more empowered 28

Inclusive Practices in Wisconsin Children are the center of our conversation Individual needs considered All early childhood environments respected Problem solving together Support one another 29

What is the one lesson you have learned that you would like to share in partnering to promote inclusive practices? 30

Application to My Work Sharing program practices – opportunity for questions 31

Resources Wrap-up and Next Steps 32

Resources NCCIC Collaborative Continuum New Hampshire’s Self-Evaluation Tool New Hampshire Preschool Technical Assistance Network, PTAN Preschool Inclusion in New Hampshire: Promoting Partnerships to Make it Better! Wisconsin Early Childhood Collaborating Partners Pre-Kindergarten Children with Disabilities: A Guide for Making System and Program Level Decisions NECTAC Inclusion page 33

PACT: Partnerships, Alliances, and Coordination Techniques PACT is an initiative of NCCIC, a service of the Child Care Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services PACT gives State, Territory, and Tribal policymakers—particularly CCDF Administrators and their partners—the resources they need to build more comprehensive and collaborative early care and school-age programs for serving children and families 34

PACT Materials PACT consists of an introduction and six training modules:  Fundamentals of Collaborative Leadership  Creating, Implementing, and Sustaining Partnerships  Communication Strategies  Financing  Managing and Facilitating Successful Partnerships  Building Capacity to Evaluate Partnership Initiatives Modules include intersecting and complementing concepts to provide users with a comprehensive package Materials are available on NCCIC’s Web site at

10530 Rosehaven Street, Suite 400 ● Fairfax, VA Phone: ● Fax: ● TTY: ● Web: Thank You NCCIC is a service of the 36