Effective Community Councils: Supporting Our Children Rebekah Duchette Boone County CECC

Challenges and Elephants What are the challenges and elephants in the room that limit your council

Goal of CECCs The primary goal of all Community Early Childhood Councils (CECCs) is to build innovative, collaborative partnerships that promote school readiness for children and families.

Children Enter Kindergarten Ready High Quality Early Learning Environments Supportive Families Access to Data Participation in STARS A great early childhood workforce Families understand child health and developmental needs Common Kindergarten Entry Screener Families are engaged Children have access to appropriate services Data is shared by early childhood programs Scholarships & PD Plans

Educate What issues are at the top? How does the issue impact families, children and council agencies? How does the issue look different for different entities? What data is available on the issue? Who is an expert on the issue? What biases exist in the discussion?

Listen Real listening means being open to influence and sometimes changing your view on an issue. With real listening the quality of the dialogue increases Chairs balance the need to share information, promote CECC work with creating a format for the group to set topics and ask the questions.

Advocate and Publicize Use state resources like the monthly message from Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Publicize successes..BIG and SMALL ….. new rated programs CDA graduates council work

Data driven work County profiles KIDs Count Agency data Needs Assessment

Get members vested…. Practice meeting ‘etiquette’ Keep the meeting productive Make it relevant to all Involve all in the discussion Ask pointed questions

Effective Councils…. Continually learn Advocate and Educate the Community Use data Engage the community in strategies to support K readiness