July 11, 2013

 Strong Early Childhood community in Montgomery County  Early Childhood Comprehensive Plan  Leadership in Action Program  Universal Pre-K Task Force  MCPS Early Success Performance Plan  Ongoing collaboration among MCPS, DHHS, child care providers, non-profit partners  Significant support from County Council, Board of Education and County Executive  Commitment to highest quality opportunities for all children of the County

 Provided access to RBA/RBF materials and opportunities to strengthen skills  Raised critical issues that must be addressed by the Councils and leadership teams  Learned from other counties’ experiences  Focused on data and data driven decision-making  Set standards for following through on commitments  Provided wonderful opportunities to build leadership/steering team  Provided time to plan out framework and strategies

 MCECAC members recruited  County Council resolution highlighting formation and work of MCECAC  County Executive Order establishing MCECAC  Using multiple data sources to focus work of MCECAC  Initial meeting, mini retreat and follow-up meetings held  Initial work groups established/operating:  Needs Assessment  Exemplary Practice  Community Outreach/Public Engagement

 Strong relationships in early childhood community already established  High level of commitment and knowledge on the part of members – ready to work!  Strong program and exemplary practices currently present in the County  Coalescing around critical areas of need and possible approaches; noting needs in specific geographic areas; building on successful practice

 TIME, TIME, TIME—not enough of it!  Wanting to do everything—needing to choose  Adding members who represent different perspectives (pediatrician, faith-based community, business)  Assuring that parents and caregivers voice is present and informing decisions  Assuring that the MCECAC membership leads decision-making  Keeping everyone informed and engaged

 Next Early Childhood Comprehensive Plan— funding provided through LMB  Determining most effective leadership structure  Ongoing support from County Council, Board of Education, and County Executive—keeping everyone informed and engaged  Maintaining clarity of roles and purpose  Staffing/Backbone organization or structure  Seeking out long-term funding from local, state, federal and private sources  Keeping people energized!