1. Board of Early Education and Care FY09 Early Childhood Resource Centers (ECRC) FY09 Request for Responses (RFR) Criteria May 13, 2008

2. 2 Early Childhood Resource Centers FY09 Request for Responses (RFR) Background Information Project created in July 1992 by MA Department of Education. Provides access to a variety of educational resources and materials to teachers, providers, administrators, trainers, consultants and families. Dispersed geographically across the state. Six sites: Brockton Public Library - Brockton Cape Cod Children’s Place - North Eastham Child Care Resource Center - Cambridge Haverhill Public Library - Haverhill Preschool Enrichment Team - Springfield UMass Medical Center Pediatric Library/Child Care Connection - Worcester FY08 funding: $60,000; $10,000 per site.

3. 3 Early Childhood Resource Centers FY09 Request for Responses (RFR) Overview of Program Purpose: facilitate the availability and accessibility of current early childhood resource materials to early childhood professionals and families covering all geographic regions in Massachusetts. Materials: range in scope from professional early education books, parenting books, children’s books, curriculum and curriculum kits, assessment kits, puppets, and videos/DVDs. Services: catalog/house/maintain early childhood resources, purchase appropriate current early childhood resources, maintain relationships with local coordinators of EEC initiatives and local public school early childhood and special education departments, provide child/family events and activities and teacher/provider workshops.

4. 4 Early Childhood Resource Centers FY09 Request for Responses (RFR) FY09 Proposal / Recommendation The new RFR seeks to establish public libraries as lead agent to: Coordinate and broaden statewide access and dissemination of early childhood resources; Increase access to resources for all parents, schools, programs and EEC funded entities – MFN, PCHP, Reach Out and Read, CPC, and CCR&Rs; Gain greater visibility of materials and parenting information – both written and web - to appropriate services for child/parent/family access; and Promote early literacy for families through library membership and connection.

5. 5 Early Childhood Resource Centers FY09 Request for Responses (RFR) Proposed Required Services Ensure library webpage includes on-line catalogue of materials and E-links to each ECRC and EEC; Establish collaborative working relationships with local coordinators of EEC initiatives; Provide technical assistance and support to patrons regarding the early childhood collection; Purchase up-to-date early childhood materials; Offer early education training/workshops and/or children/family presentations; and Promote awareness of books, DVDs/videos, curriculum, and theme kits available for loan to children, families, teachers, providers, consultants, trainers, and administrators in the field of early education and care.

6. 6 Early Childhood Resource Centers FY09 Request for Responses (RFR) Proposed RFR Timeline Board vote on RFR May 13, 2008 RFR postedMid May 2008 Funds awardedJuly 1, 2008