1. Implementation Evaluation of the Early Childhood Peer Learning and Action Network (EC PLAN) Technical Assistance Program
Presentation By: Sara Lackey – University of Maryland School of Public Policy

2. Goal of EC PLAN
To increase the Promise Zones’ ability to track and monitor short and long early childhood development goals term goals.

3. Purpose of the Implementation Evaluation
To understand how this technical assistance model:
Assists Promise Zones with goal development
Assists Promise Zones with tracking and measuring goals
Could be adapted to other topic areas

4. Methodology Measurement Instruments: Sample:
Surveys
Interviews
Sample:
Program participants from the 10 participating Promise Zones
Program participants consisted of a variety of childhood development policy makers and Promise Zone leaders
Tools Used for the Development of Evaluation Measures:
EC PLAN Charter
6 Month Half Way Point Evaluation
Webinar Content Curriculum
Logic Model (created by evaluator)

5. Methodology: Survey Sample
Sample Size: 43
Response Rate: 11
Promise Zone
Survey Respondents
Camden 3
Choctaw
Indy East
Kentucky Highlands 2
Los Angeles 1
Pine Ridge
Sacramento
San Antonio
South Carolina
St. Louis

6. Methodology: Informal Conversation Sample
Sample Size: 10
Response Rate: 7
Promise Zone
Representative’s Role in the Promise Zone
Camden
Born to Read Manager
Choctaw
No representative agreed to participate
Indy East
Promise Zone Director
Kentucky Highlands
Early Childhood Director
Los Angeles
Pine Ridge
Sacramento
San Antonio
Director of Operations, Eastside Promise Neighborhood
South Carolina
St. Louis
Education Liaison to the County Executive

7. EC PLAN Program Activities & Elements
Program Elements
Webinars
Action Periods
Peer Connections
Access to Federal Experts
Content
Structure

8. EC PLAN Program Activities
Findings: Utilized EC PLAN Program Activities and Quality of Program Elements
EC PLAN Program Activities
Program Elements
Webinars
Action Periods
Peer Connections
Access to Federal Experts
Content
Structure

9. Developed EC Goals Prior to EC PLAN
Findings: Promise Zones Were in Various Stages of Early Childhood Goal Development
Promise Zone
Developed EC Goals Prior to EC PLAN
Camden
yes
Indy East
Kentucky Highlands
Los Angeles no
San Antonio
South Carolina
St. Louis
Promise Zone’s with pre- established goals thought the program was too basic
Promise Zone’s without pre- established goals thought the program was too advanced

10. Findings: Participants With Various Positions Perceived EC PLAN Differently
Promise Zone
Developed EC Goals Prior to EC PLAN
Camden
Born to Read Manager
Indy East
Indy East Promise Zone Director
Kentucky Highlands
Early Childhood Director (of the Kentucky Highlands Promise Zone)
Los Angeles
Los Angeles Promise Zone Director
San Antonio
Director of Operations, Eastside Promise Neighborhood
South Carolina
South Carolina Promise Zone Director
St. Louis
Education Liaison to the County Executive
Early childhood community partners thought they were alone in the program
Promise Zone directors thought they were inappropriate program participants

11. Findings: Demographic Discrepancies
Goal Development
Discrepancies
Program Participant
Promise Zone’s with pre-established goals thought the program was too basic
Promise Zone’s without pre-established goals thought the program was too advanced
Early childhood community partners thought they were alone in the program
Promise Zone directors thought they were inappropriate program participants
Everyone thought the program was not appropriate for them
THUS

12. Findings: A Good Program with Insufficient Participant Participation
Nobody thought they were the target program participant.
Everyone thought the structure of the program was good

13. How to Improve EC PLAN Improve Sustain Remove Learning outcomes
Community participation
Versatility
Sustain
Webinars
Peer Dialogue
Action Periods
Access to Federal Experts
Remove
Adjustments to EC PLAN should focus on improvements

14. Questions?