1 Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children, Inc. Nebraska AEYC Early Childhood Retreat Mahoney State Park, June 2, 2015 “Strengthening and supporting Nebraska’s early childhood community since 1976.”

2 Nebraska AEYC 2014 Year in Review Quality Enhancement Projects  NCFF Rooted in Relationships ~ Pyramid Implementation Project (AR Subcommittee)  Leadership Academy (formerly NDE QEP Add On) 9 center directors, 3 cohorts ~ Lincoln, Grand Island, Columbus  Early Childhood Services QEP 10 participants, family child care providers  Infant/Toddler Initiative (partnership with Community Action Partnership of Lancaster & Saunders Co.) 10 classrooms (1 family child care, 9 center classrooms), Lincoln & Wahoo Numerous trainings provided in participating programs and throughout community  Infant/Toddler Initiative ~ NDE Add On 6 center directors focus on program quality improvement, licensing required trainings, utilized PAS, additional funds for materials and books for I/T Initiative participating centers

3 Nebraska AEYC 2014 Year in Review T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood ® NEBRASKA  Currently – 104 total students o 72 AA o 19 BA o 13 BA Gap We have seen a significant decrease in the number of students participating on T.E.A.C.H. recently. This trend is across all funders, geographic areas, colleges, and scholarship models. Please help us spread the word that we have scholarships available for early childhood teachers, teacher assistants, directors, and family child care providers! NAEYC National Dialogue & State Staff Leadership Team  Participated in all National Dialogue discussions  Active in State Staff Leadership team, meeting twice a year  Focus now on structure

4 Nebraska AEYC 2014 Year in Review Tracy & Brandee continued to work on completion of Master’s Degree ~ Completed May 2015! ERS ~ Supported NDE State Funded Pre-K programs with ECERS observations, ERS Nebraska Approval training, and other early childhood training Participated in Homeless Connect in Lincoln Participated in Give to Lincoln Day Participating organization in the Community Services Fund Participated in the Combined Federal Campaign

Review of 2014 Goals Membership Membership outreach – utilized Facebook and Constant Contact to inform/educate and provide information to our membership Quarterly newsletter Week of the Young Child outreach Involved chapters/affiliates in asking members for input on important issues at the local, state, and national level Awarded the first Linda Zinke Emerging Leader Award 5

Review of 2014 Goals Membership Cont’d Utilized First Five Nebraska’s advocacy information to help inform membership and local and national lawmakers Doane, UNL & SCC have very active faculty that support student involvement and membership Provided advocacy related information to membership via Facebook and Constant Contact Participate on regular NAEYC Membership calls 6

Review of 2014 Goals Advocacy Utilized Facebook and Constant Contact to provide advocacy information to membership Creation and implementation of Nebraska Celebrates the Young Child Advocacy Education Day Supported specific legislative bills/attended legislative hearings Collaborated with others on Raising of America launch event 7

Nebraska Celebrates the Young Child 8

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Review of 2014 Goals Advocacy Cont’d Supported Week of the Young Child activities across the state through distribution of a mini grant to chapters/affiliates. Posted Week of the Young Child events on the Nebraska AEYC & NAEYC websites Attended Governor’s Proclamation event for WOYC Supported and promoted Step Up to Quality Created children’s artwork display at State Capitol for Week of the Young Child/Nebraska Celebrates the Young Child event 10

WOYC Proclamation 11

Week of the Young Child Display at the state capitol 12

Week of the Young Child 13

Week of the Young Child 14

Week of the Young Child 15 w Lincoln AEYC & SCC Student Group WOYC Events

Review of 2014 Goals Professional Development Attended multiple conferences, both locally and nationally Tracy, Cindy & Gina became reliable to the authors in the FCCERS Provided numerous trainings/professional development opportunities for broader early childhood community 16

17 Retreat sponsored in part by the Nebraska Head Start Association “Planning is bringing the future to the present so that you can do something about it now!” ~Unknown

Nebraska AEYC Student Recognition Congratulations to the following students who were nominated by their college faculty 18 Leonore McGuire ~ SCC

Linda Zinke Emerging Leader Award Congratulations to Rebecca Dingwell! 19

2015 Distinguished Service to Children Award Congratulations to Linda Zinke! 20

Café Conversations There are 4 tables, each with a separate conversation You are asked to attend all four of the conversations Each conversation will last 30 minutes, with a five minute warning to switch tables Café Conversation topics: Outreach/Communication in E.C. system Gaps in E.C. system Professional Development Defining High Quality 21