1. Best Practices Conference 2009 Multi-State, Multi-Site Engagement: Efficient and Effective Methods with Reduced Resources and No Travel Presenters: Karen Domerski and Katie OConnor – JUMPSTART

2. 2 Goals 1) Share Jumpstart best practices related to: Corps Member Training and development Program Quality AmeriCorps Compliance Leveraging the use of systems and tools in aiding in the challenge of working with fewer resources. 2) Provide opportunity for workshop participants to exchange ideas, share best practices and problem solve around resource shortages

3. 3 Jumpstart Trains and Supports its Corps members throughout the year 1 st Semester September Leadership Institute- intensive 3 day training for team leaders to prepare them to lead their peers. CM Fall Pre-service- 3-4 week period before CMs enter the classroom where CMs attend workshops on various topics to support their work. CM Fall Future Teachers Institute- intensive weekend training where CMs receive information on Jumpstarts early childhood philosophy and approach. CM Performance Reviews- this is the 1 st of 2 reviews. 2nd Semester CM Winter Future Teachers Institute- intensive weekend training where CMs expand and deepen their knowledge of early childhood CM Performance Reviews- this is the 2 nd of 2 reviews and happens at the close of their term of service. Quality Action Planning- both at the start of and then at the end of this semester staff look at data collected from their site and build a plan to improve quality. This plan is shared with CMs. Ongoing Observation and Feedback- staff use formal process to identify teams areas of strengths and improvement and then build out an action plan to improve performance. Team Leader Meetings- weekly meetings that are used to monitor program quality and foster leadership skill development In-service Training- trainings throughout the year which include content on citizenship and site specific needs. Team Planning Meetings- Teams meet for 2 hours per week as an opportunity to reflect, plan and provide CMs with training and professional development opportunities. Classroom Assistance Time- 3-4 hours a week spent in the regular classroom working with their child and gaining ideas form teachers. Summer CM Summer Future Teachers Institute- weeklong intensive training program to prepare CMs to work on a teaching team. CM Weekly Trainings- trainings build around specific CM needs. Observation and Feedback- staff use formal process to identify CM areas of strengths and improvement and then build out an action plan to improve performance.

4. 4 Corps Member Development Resources Corps Member Toolkit Leadership Toolkit Team Leader Quality Standards Highlights Guide Observation and Feedback Action Plan Performance Review Site created materials

5. 5 Distant Site Management: Program Quality and Communication to Site Staff (Jumpstart Southern Region) Weekly Check-ins with Program Director- Guided agenda and review of Site Management and Quality Standards ( Veteran Site Managers for 30 minutes, New Site Managers and high risk sites for one hour) Monthly Regional Calls Monthly Check-ins with Program Director and Regional Associate Director to discuss larger programmatic issues/site challenges Site Weekly Communication Site Manager Buddy System Intranet Regional Page

6. 6 Distant Site Management: Program Quality and Training for Site Staff (Jumpstart Southern Region) New Staff Orientation in July Prioritize Program Director observation and coaching visits using observation and coaching visit guidelines Utilize veteran Site Managers in close proximity to new Site Managers to visit programs Site Manager Buddy System Monthly regional calls/Training Calls Site Management Binder scoring in the spring Site Self-Assessment/ Appraisal Quality Action Plans/ Performance Improvement Plans

7. 7 Site Management Binder

8. 8 Distant Site Management: Data Management Jumpstart Southern Region Goals of SAM System Centralize data collection, management, and reporting Limit redundant data entry wherever possible Allow different types of users to quickly and easily generate reports on the data most useful to them without having to go through any barrier Allow for easy interpretation/use of data to support change management Benefits of the SAM tool to Jumpstart Streamlined and encapsulated Jumpstart programs personnel management process from application through completion Eliminated double data entry in all areas except WBRS (see above) Able to ensure accurate data entry by SAM/ WBRS comparisons Standardizes process and establishes common parameters for all users Calculates aggregate and detailed data in the form of 24 pre-defined reports Provides data in real time Allows oversight of program elements and progress by Jumpstart regional and national offices Provide immediate reference to all program details and administration through any web browser

9. 9 SAM

10. 10 Questions?

11. 11 Group Learning Break into groups and discuss the following: 1-A challenge relating to monitoring a program 2-A best practice from another organization or one the group creates All groups will present their challenges and solutions at the end.

12. 12 For further questions or information Contact Information: Katie O'Connor Associate Program Director, Southern Region katie.oconnor@jstart.org Karen Domerski Director of National Service Programs karen.domerski@jstart.org