1. Early Childhood Resource Centers 1

2. 2 Created in 1991 – lead agencies were originally public schools, community agencies and libraries. FY09 Competitive Bid – only public libraries were eligible to apply. Goal was to leverage existing capacity of libraries to disseminate resources statewide at no additional cost to EEC. Purpose Provide access to materials and resources for early education and care programs and families statewide; Provide EEC educators/providers with professional development opportunities, and Offer programming that supports parents in the role of their childs first teacher. Background

3. Leveraging the Massachusetts Library Networks Current Early Childhood Resource Center sites: Cambridge Public Library Falmouth Public Library Haverhill Public Library Norfolk Public Library Springfield Public Library Every library is part of a network. Networks include more than 300 public libraries, 38 academic libraries, and a small number of school libraries. Thousands of ECRC materials have been loaned through these networks. ECRCs create broader access to early childhood resources for parents, schools, and for all EEC initiatives. 3

4. Early Childhood Resource Centers Activities Provided 4 End of Year Data: FY09 Events OfferedNumber of Participants Parent/Teacher/Provider Workshops 18518 Child/Family Presentations 81658 Children 615 Adults Number of Resource Materials Loaned 4,151 Number of Outreach Activities Preformed 46 End of Year Data: FY10 Events OfferedNumber of Participants Parent/Teacher/Provider Workshops 55800 Child/Family Presentations 78944 Children 597 Adults Number of Resource Materials Loaned 6,807 Number of Outreach Activities Preformed 39

5. What We Know About Early Language and Literacy Development 1 Early language and literacy (reading and writing) development begins in the first three years of life and is closely linked to a child's earliest experiences with books and stories. The interactions that young children have with such literacy materials as books, paper, and crayons, and with the adults in their lives are the building blocks for language, reading and writing development. Children learn to talk, read, and write through such social literacy experiences as adults or older children interacting with them using books and other literacy materials, including magazines, markers, and paper. Language, reading, and writing skills develop at the same time and are intimately linked. Early literacy development is a continuous developmental process that begins in the first years of life. Early literacy skills develop in real life settings through positive interactions with literacy materials and other people. 1 retrieved from Zero to Three, the National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/early-language-literacy/earlyliteracy2pagehandout.pdfhttp://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/early-language-literacy/earlyliteracy2pagehandout.pdf, April 28, 2011 5

6. Aligning Focus of ECRCs with Research Findings and Early Literacy Action Steps 2 Families play an active role in language and literacy development and are supported in developing necessary skills. Develop a framework for effective support of family engagement around language and literacy; Provide families with information about supporting their childrens language and literacy development and the availability of community resources. 2 Governor Patrick has convened a Joint Departmental Committee for Early Literacy comprised of members of the Boards and the Commissioners of Early Education and Care, Elementary and Secondary Education, and Higher Education. The Committee has developed several action steps including the one noted above to engage families. 6

7. FY12 Proposed Services Primary Focus: Early and Family Literacy Early Childhood Resource Centers will: Provide child/family interactive events/activities that strengthen the literacy focus within the parent child relationship. At least 24 hours of activities should be provided over 12 months; Provide opportunities to engage the dual language learner in literacy rich activities; Promote awareness of free book programs in the community, and Connect parents to adult literacy programs. Early Childhood Resources Centers will continue to: Catalogue, house and maintain an established collection of early childhood resources; Purchase appropriate early childhood materials as allowed in budget to keep resources current (include curriculum, parenting support, childrens books, teacher/provider books); Maintain relationships with the coordinators of local public pre- schools and EEC initiatives, including CFCE Programs, CCR&Rs, Head Start, and FCC systems to close the proficiency gap, and Promote awareness of family-friendly books, videos, and theme kits available for loan to parents/children/families. 7

8. 8 FY12 ECRC Competitive Request for Proposal Seeks Bids to fund up to five ECRC contracts to public libraries: Annual funding allocation of $7,000 per ECRC Total annual funding of $35,000.00 Total 3 year contract award of $105,000.00 RFR timeline Board vote on RFR criteria and budget: May 10, 2011 RFR posted: May/June (Tentatively) Funds awarded: July/August (Tentatively)