Building Collaborative Relationships Supporting Early Childhood Education Programs

Our Program History Blue Valley Community Action Partnership –Jefferson County Head Start Program Fairbury Public Schools –Step-by-Step Program (Early Childhood Special Education/Peer Model Program) Initial Collaborative Efforts –Dual Program Enrollment –Consultation, Referral and Evaluation

Identified Challenges/Barriers Wait Lists –Significant increase in number of children eligible for Head Start –Child Find efforts resulting in increased number of children with verified disabilities –Consistent demand for Peer Model participation Significant percentage of children entering Kindergarten without having quality early childhood education experiences (Achievement Gap)

Forming Our Partnership Nebraska Early Childhood Grant Program –Existing personnel to provide early learning opportunities in 4 half-day sessions –Grant Award to provide for 2 additional half-day sessions Between 75 to 85 children (ages 3 to 5) provided early learning opportunities annually Identified program personnel provide special education services for Birth to 3 population within natural environments Enrollment reflects community demographics

Our Partnership…

Lessons from the Field Defining Partnership Roles and Responsibilities –Collaborative Participation program planning; start-up process; implementation –Early Childhood Advisory Committee –Parent Involvement ~ Leadership Team –Developing and Maintaining Written Agreements issue of trust; changes in leadership/staffing

Potential Partnerships Head Start/Early Head Start/Even Start Grantee Local School District Educational Service Unit Private/Parochial Preschool Program Center-based/In-home Childcare Provider City Government/Department ~ Public Library Health Care Agency/Organization Community Organization/Service Club Church ~ YMCA ~ Museum

Collaboration & Program Design Structure –program days; yearly calendar; part/full day Classroom Ratios Facilities –fire/safety/health codes; space; equipment; playground

Collaboration & Program Design Staffing –Rule 11/Highly Qualified/Endorsements –Recruitment/Hiring –Supervision/Evaluation –Substitutes –Custodial Services Transportation –Head Start ~ School District –Parent/Carpool ~ Community

Collaboration & Program Design Curriculum Framework Identification Child Assessment and Program Evaluation Professional Development Planning Correlation & Alignment of… –Rule 11 Requirements –Head Start Program Standards –Nebraska Early Learning Guidelines

Collaboration & Program Design Budget Considerations –Blended/Matching Funding Sources –“In Kind” NCLB, ILCD and School Improvement Process Involvement Effective Transitions for Children –Birth to Three ~ Center-based Program –Early Childhood Program ~ Kindergarten

Danger Zone Community Perceptions (Patrons & School Board) –Competition vs Partnership –Program Development/Expansion during “Hard Times” –Quality of Existing Programs/Personnel Staff Perceptions –Salary Differential ~ Hourly vs Salaried Positions –Preconceived Opinions ~ Practices & Requirements –Primary/Elementary Teacher Awareness and Support –Inclusiveness and Collegiality

Lessons from the Field COMMUNICATION IS CRITICAL

Early Returns on Our Investments Inclusive, integrated programs/services for diverse groups of children; Ongoing collaboration and communication with multiple community partners; Highly qualified staff with demonstrated commitment to program development; Significant and effective early childhood transitions; Increased family involvement and capacity to support their children’s development; Documented improvement/progress toward identified child learning and developmental outcomes.

Final Thought… A high-quality program, no matter what its name or style is proud of the youngness of its children. It is geared to honest, real-life children – the noisy, messy, active, dirty kind. - James Hymes

Our Contact Information Jeremy Christiansen Principal/Director of Curriculum & Learning Fairbury Public Schools (402) Shari Wurtz-Miller Children and Youth Services Director Blue Valley Community Action Partnership (402)