1. 1 Right From The Start MIND THE OPPORTUNITY GAP: Tasha’s Story

2.  Why, despite our best efforts, do we still have children in Connecticut entering school behind their peers, not fully ready to learn and succeed?  Right from the Start (RFTS) is a Connecticut initiative that evolved from the outcry of parents, early care providers, advocates and a range of community stakeholders for a coordinated comprehensive early care and education delivery system.  We want a system where all Connecticut children receive the early education and development support they need. Right From The Start Vision and Purpose

3.  Right From The Start conversations are bringing together people in communities throughout Connecticut to identify the best approaches to address four root causes that are not receiving enough attention.  We want a system : that builds a foundation for learning and development during a child’s first 1000 days – Early is Good, Earlier is Better with accessible health, mental health, and social-emotional development support – Pay Attention to the Whole Child provides all children regardless of race or economic background with the same opportunities – Mind the Opportunity Gap where local communities are empowered to make effective decisions for their citizens – Support Local Community Action

4.  Video Preview: Important ideas and themes:  “Gaps” in the early childhood system  Achievement gap  Opportunity gap  “Age in”  Inequities in the system  Care 4 Kids  Connecticut Works Today’s Topic: Mind The Opportunity Gap

5.  SHOW VIDEO  (Insert still shot/link to video) Mind the Opportunity Gap: Tasha’s Story

6.  What would you tell your friends who asked you about this video? Mind the Opportunity Gap: Tasha’s Story

7.  What important ideas did you hear in this video?  about what children need?  about parents and families?  about child care providers?  about health care provides?  about other services?   Why is this important to you? Mind the Opportunity Gap: Tasha’s Story

8.  How well are services in our community doing in meeting the needs of children and families in all economic situations?  Which of the following approaches would make the system work better for those who need the most help? Reaching Right From the Start Goals Opportunities and Solutions

9.  Approach A  Reduce barriers and increase access to early childhood education, healthcare and special services that support parents and families.  “Programs like Early Head Start and Nurturing Families reach the most vulnerable children at an important stage of development.” Reaching Right From the Start Goals Opportunities and Solutions

10.  Approach B:  Create a system that supports both generations by making sure that parents have education, training and job opportunities, as well as early care and education for their children.   “Along with meeting basic needs, parents need systems to work together so they can find and keep jobs while their children are well cared for.” Reaching Right From the Start Goals Opportunities and Solutions

11.  Approach C:  Make public system more accountable for the impact policies have on racial and economic disparities. Policy makers are responsible for how well the system works and for deciding which families and children receive services.   “The only way to serve the most vulnerable families is to have a system of public support.” Reaching Right From the Start Goals Opportunities and Solutions

12.  WHICH IS THE BEST OPTION FOR  BUILDING A SYSTEM THAT CLOSES THE OPPORTUNITY GAP? CONSIDERING EACH APPROACH

13.  Approach A: Reduce barriers and increase access to early childhood education, healthcare and special services that support parents and families.  What are the advantages of this approach?  … the disadvantages of this approach? Building a system that closes the opportunity gap

14.  Approach B: Create a system that supports both generations by making sure that parents have education, training and job opportunities, as well as early care and education for their children.  What are the advantages of this approach?  … the disadvantages of this approach? Building a system that closes the opportunity gap

15.  Approach C: Make public system more accountable for the impact policies have on racial and economic disparities. Policy makers are responsible for how well the system works and for deciding which families and children receive services.  What are the advantages of this approach?  … the disadvantages of this approach? Building a system that closes the opportunity gap

16.  If you could choose only one of these approaches which would you choose?  Why? What works best?

17.  What was the most important idea you heard today?  What do you like about that idea?  Why is that important? Our best ideas

18.  What did you learn or hear about today that you would like to know more about?  Is there anything that you, individually, might do or do differently, as a result of today’s conversation?  What would you like to see happen to follow up on today’s conversation? Where do we go from here?

19.  (ADD THE LOCAL PLAN OF ACTION AND OPTIONS FOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION) Options for Taking Action

20.  We invite you to join our growing network. Go to our website:  RFTS@WCGMF.ORG RFTS@WCGMF.ORG ◦ Share your thoughts, feelings, and insights in the Your Voice section.Your Voice ◦ Connect with others in53 Discovery communities working collaboratively to improve early childhood.53 Discovery communities ◦ Learn more in our Resource section.Resource