2. AN OVERVIEW Healthy & Ready to Learn by Age 5

3. What is ECP? The Early Childhood Partners initiative is CT’s name for MCHB’s “State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems” (SECCS) plan to create a comprehensive, integrated service system that incorporates comprehensive health services, early care & education, & family support & parent education to get children healthy and ready to learn by age five.

4. How did CT begin? DPH was awarded grant & convened meeting of 8 State agencies in 2003 to determine what services, programs & funding existed 47 programs & initiatives were scanned $486 million in State & Federal investment (now over $540 million) Added communities & families to mix

5. State Agencies Involved in ECP  Public Health  Social Services  Children & Families  Developmental Services (formerly DMR)  Department of Education  Mental Health & Addiction Services  Policy & Management  Commission on Children

6. Integrated System Barriers Mechanisms for coordinating or integrating functions were fragmented Family support & parenting ed programs operated under different visions EC services primarily organized around funding streams/program eligibility/# of slots rather than needs of child & family Funding for EC services fragmented & inadequate…siloed

7. The ECP Strategic Plan Created by ECP Steering Committee 14 months to complete Provides plan for comprehensive, integrated services bridging 3 domains: –Comprehensive Health Services –Early Care & Education –Family Support & Parent Education Provides common outcomes across siloed programs

8. ECP & Friends Governor Rell Ct State Legislature ECP Steering Committee Early Childhood Education Cabinet and subcommittees/workgroups Research & Policy Council

9. Role of Steering Committee Review & approve ECP Implementation Plan Refine common child & system performance outcomes across EC services Identify new opportunities for coordination or integration of EC services Provide oversight & guidance for implementation

10. Role of the Cabinet (www.ecpolicycouncil.org/cabinet) Created by State Legislature in 2005 Advise SDE Commissioner on school readiness Conduct evaluation of school readiness Develop budget requests for EC programs Promote consistency of quality & comprehensiveness of EC services

11. Research & Policy Council (www.ecpolicycouncil.org) Created by Executive Order of Governor Rell Comprised of over 30 representatives spanning the fields of business, education, charities & government Council will reinforce the State’s drive to become national model for early childhood education

12. ECP Implementation Plan Original plan had 28 goals; related objectives Revised plan has 4 goals: –Expand # of pediatric practices providing MHs –Increase number of parents/providers trained as partners & participating in communities as advocates –Enhance health/mental health/education consultant network for families & childcare providers –Increase coordination & information exchange among state agencies & organizations that address EC services

13. Goal 1: Medical Homes Objective 1: To develop & maintain provider network of at least five new medical homes/year –Medical Home Advisory Council –CHDI & Family Support Network –CT Medical Home Initiative for CYSHCN (5 area community-based organizations) –CYSHCN Program

14. Goal 2: Parent Advocate Training Objective 1: 100 parents will be trained through PLTI programs funded by Parent Trust Act Objective 2: Ages & Stages Training will be provided to pediatric care practitioners to help parents ID developmental delays in their children Objective 3: ID & recruit family readers to provide input on ECP Implementation Plan

15. Goal 3: Support Child Care Health Consultation Objective 1: Provide Child Care Health Consultant training to at least 20 consultants a year –CNA previously conducted 3-4 trainings in CT annually –Scheduled 5 in 2007 –Measure added to MCHBG –Provide access to CIRTS thru parental forms

16. Goal 4: Coordinate Information Objective 1: Develop, launch & maintain ECP website (www.ecpartners.org) Objective 2: DPH will participate on Early Childhood Education Cabinet & subcommittees (CCHCs, Data, Communications, First Words First Steps Infant-Toddler Early Readiness, etc.) Objective 3: ECP Steering Committee was expanded & met quarterly

17. ECP: Next Steps HRSA recommends objectives remain attainable & measurable Much of Steering Committee’s work has been adopted by Cabinet Cabinet has extended invitation for select Steering Committee members to serve on its implementation teams Ready by 5 & Fine by 9: Cabinet support

18. Healthy & Ready to Learn by Age Five