1. Howard County Early Childhood Advisory Council
Lisa J. Davis, Coordinator, HCPSS Early Childhood Programs
Maryland Family Engagement Summit
July 26, 2018

2. ECAC Details
Officially formed in 2013; reorganization of an Early Childhood Coalition that was in existence for many years
Co-chaired by Howard County Public School System and Howard County Office of Children & Families
Diverse group of regularly attending stakeholders and high- functioning subcommittees

3. HCECAC Membership HC Office of Children & Families HCPSS HC Head Start
HC Library System
HCPSS Infants & Toddlers
HCPSS Title I
Parents as Teachers
HC Recreation & Parks
Columbia Association
Howard Community College
Child Care Centers
Family Child Care Providers
Nursery Schools
Judy Center
HCPSS Administrators
Community Businesses
HC Department of Social Services
HC Health Department
Community Members
MD EXCELS
Pediatricians/HC Hospital

4. Howard County Kindergarten readiness assessment (KRA) Data
54%
demonstrate
readiness
3,869
kindergarteners
31%
assessed
Nearly, 4,000 children entered Howard County’s kindergarten classrooms.
Teachers used the KRA tool to assess 31% of kindergarteners.
54% of the County’s kindergarteners demonstrate readiness, entering classrooms fully prepared to participate in the kindergarten curriculum.

5. Howard County Kindergarten readiness assessment (KRA) Data

6. Howard County Kindergarten readiness assessment (KRA) Data

7. Over 1,000 parents reached each year
Valuable feedback helps to reshape the event every year to better meet parents’ needs
Focus on supporting the journey for the child and the family
What is school readiness, what does kindergarten look like, details about kindergarten registration – and a strong balance between academic and social-emotional

8. OUR ECAC Seeks to inform and EVOLVES TO MEET NEEDS
Fetal / Infant Mortality Review – Community Action Team
County Council Early Childhood Action Group Recommendations
Commercial Family Engagement Products
Annual Engagement Topics /
Social Media Planning
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) Data Discussion
Dual Language Learners / Cultural Proficiency

9. OUR ECAC Seeks to inform and EVOLVES TO MEET NEEDS
PANEL PRESENTATION 2016
Family Engagement Strategies Being Implemented Across Howard County
Public Library: Enhancing relationships with parents (classes are for parents, too, not just children)
Infants and Toddlers: How to get families involved in helping their children to make progress
HCPSS Early Childhood: Learning Parties to support parents and children
Judy Center: Creative ways to find and engage families over time
Pediatrician: Talking to parents about developmental milestones and how to use teachable moments

10. OUR ECAC Seeks to inform and EVOLVES TO MEET NEEDS
PANEL PRESENTATION 2017
Supporting International Families:
HC Head Start- Family Service Worker
Howard Community College- English Institute Coordinator and Family Advisor
HCPSS International Office- Hispanic Achievement Specialist and International (Chin) Achievement Liaison
Foreign Born Information and Referral Network (FIRN)- Program leader
Questions for panelists: What do you do that supports international families and children (immigrant families, dual language learners, etc.)?
What are some effective ways to gain understanding of a family’s culture and to build trust (i.e. How do you connect with families?)
What have you learned about families’ needs through the work that you do?
Reflections for audience: Wow I didn’t know that! This reminds me of something I already do. I still have questions about this. I can use this idea, I’d like to follow up on it.

11. OUR ECAC Seeks to inform and EVOLVES TO MEET NEEDS
PANEL PRESENTATION
Working with Vulnerable Populations
Grassroots Shelter (Homeless Families)
Howard County Government Multi-Service Center (Low-Income Families or Families with Other Needs)
HC Office of Children & Families (Multi-Generational Families)
NAMI HC (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
PFLAG HC (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)

12. Openness. Sharing. Trust. Connections. Relationships.
OUR ECAC
Openness. Sharing. Trust. Connections. Relationships.
We have to recognize what people are bringing to the table with regards to getting kids ready for school

13. Mental Health Advisory Council that will
ECAC INFLUENCE
HCPSS has just formed a
Mental Health Advisory Council that will
function similarly to the ECAC.

14. Community responsibility
Our ECAC is making a concerted effort to engage:
Political community
Health community
Faith community
Business community
Our children are relying on ALL of us.

15. Open to community
Included County Executive, School Superintendent, Hospital CEO, Chamber of Commerce President, etc.
Shared KRA data
Advertised various ECAC initiatives
Call to action!