EEC Budget Overview: Accelerating the Early Education and Care System Agenda

Presentation to the EEC Fiscal Committee

June 4, 2012 

Summary of FY12 EEC GAA Sources

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Line Item NameFY12 GAA Budget

YTD Encumbered

YTD Expended

Total Committed

Total Available

3000-1000 Administration 11,726,274$ 307,613$ 9,778,800$ 10,086,413$ 1,639,861$ 3000-2000 Access Management 5,933,862$ 1,409,443$ 4,513,126$ 5,922,569$ 11,293$ 3000-3050 Supportive 77,448,576$ 17,748,489$ 59,625,670$ 77,374,159$ 74,417$ 3000-4050 TANF Related Child Care 132,458,313$ 36,125,841$ 96,332,472$ 132,458,313$ -$ 3000-4060 Income Eligible Child Care 232,897,940$ 54,475,735$ 174,448,427$ 228,924,162$ 3,973,778$ 3000-5000 Grants to Head Start 7,500,000$ 1,966,739$ 5,533,261$ 7,500,000$ 0$ 3000-5075 UPK 7,500,000$ 2,766,097$ 4,624,412$ 7,390,509$ 109,491$ 3000-6075 Mental Health 750,000$ 179,643$ 502,109$ 681,751$ 68,249$ 3000-7050 Services for Infants and Parents 18,386,633$ 5,226,226$ 13,039,617$ 18,265,842$ 120,791$ 3000-7070 Reach Out and Read 800,000$ 133,333$ 666,667$ 800,000$ -$

Total FY12 GAA 495,401,598$ 120,339,159$ 369,064,559$ 489,403,718$ 5,997,880$

Data presented in chart is as of May 10, 2012

FY12 General Appropriation Act Accounts

Summary of FY12 EEC Other Budget Sources

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Line Item Name FY12 BudgetYTD Encumbered

YTD Expended Total Committed

Total Available

3000-0708 Head Start Colloborative Grant 175,000$ 17,239$ 84,908$ 102,147$ 72,853$ 3000-2010 RTT/ELC 14,493,352$ 1,572,579$ 11,493$ 1,584,072$ 12,909,280$ 3000-2009 ARRA CCDF 1,813,518$ -$ 1,813,518$ 1,813,518$ -$ 3000-5050 State Advisory Council Grant 830,788$ 500$ 309,597$ 310,097$ 520,691$

4513-9096 Home Visiting (ISA w/ DPH) 77,548$ -$ 26,366$ 26,366$ 51,182$ 4513-9098 MHVP Program (ISA with DPH) 86,396$ 55,814$ -$ 55,814$ 30,582$ 4570-1521 NAP-SAC Program (ISA with DPH) 25,000$ -$ 25,000$ 25,000$ -$ 7043-7002 SPED (ISA with ESE) 8,131,068$ 2,317,102$ 5,040,500$ 7,357,601$ 773,467$ 7060-9200 LDS Project (ISA with ESE) 88,975$ -$ 67,292$ 67,292$ 21,683$ 7043-7002 Brain Building (ISA w ESE) 9,000$ -$ -$ -$ 9,000$ 7043-4002 Brain Building (ISA w ESE) 5,000$ 5,000$ -$ 5,000$ -$ 7010-0024 Brain Building (ISA w ESE) 31,000$ 9,000$ -$ 9,000$ 22,000$ 7060-7060 SPED ARRA 300,790$ -$ 226,744$ 226,744$ 74,046$

Total Federal 26,067,436$ 3,977,234$ 7,605,418$ 11,582,651$ 14,484,784$

3000-0008Help Me Grow National Technical Assistance Center 40,000$ -$ 34,234$ 34,234$ 5,766$

3000-4155 Barr Foundation 50,000$ 24,239$ 22,565$ 46,804$ 3,196$ 4130-2900 License Plate Trust Fund 1,137,227$ 180,396$ 209,354$ 389,750$ 747,477$

Total Trust 1,227,227$ 204,635$ 266,153$ 470,788$ 756,439$

Direct Federal Grants to EEC

Federal Funds transferred to EEC from Other

Trust Funds

Summary of FY12 EEC ISAs

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Line Item Amount Desc End DateEEC EDU 3000-1000 60,540$ KinderWait Project 6/30/2012

EEC EHS 3000-1000 5,000$ EOHHS provides training through Center for Staff Development 6/30/2012

EEC WEL 3000-1000 113,806$ Springfield Lease 6/30/2012EEC DCF 3000-2010 148,446$ Project 7.1 Interagency with DCF 12/31/2012EEC DHCD 3000-2010 68,131$ Project 7.2 Interagency with DHCD 12/31/2012EEC DMH 3000-2010 437,606$ Project 7.3 Interagency with DMH 12/31/2012EEC DPH 3000-2010 730,717$ Support project 2.4 and 7.4 with DPH 12/31/2013EEC EDU 3000-2010 297,320$ Project 10.1 for dev of the ECIS 12/31/2012EEC ORI 3000-2010 109,631$ Project 7.5 Interagency with ORI 12/31/2012EEC RGT 3000-2010 1,000,000$ Project 2.3 scholarships administrered by RGT's OSFA 12/31/2012

EEC RGT 3000-5050 86,952$

Support the funding of an Early Education and Out of School Time College Completion Specialist to oversee implementation of the Early Education Transfer Compact and to advance recommendations of the IHE Mapping Study 6/30/2013

DOE EEC 7043-7002 8,131,103$ SPED Grants 8/31/2012DPH EEC 4513-9096 41,484$ Evidence-Based Home Visiting Program 6/30/2012DPH EEC 4513-9098 345,634$ Massachusetts Home Visiting Program 6/30/2013DPH EEC 4513-9099 86,212$ Massachusetts Home Visiting Program 6/30/2013DPH EEC 4570-1521 50,000$ IMIL Grant 2/15/2012

DOE EEC 7043-4002 5,000$ Support the EEC-ESE Regional Conference entitled "Brain Building and Early Literacy and Numeracy" 6/30/2012

DOE EEC 7010-0024 31,000$ Support the EEC-ESE Regional Conference entitled "Brain Building and Early Literacy and Numeracy" 6/30/2012

DOE EEC 7043-7002 9,000$ Support the EEC-ESE Regional Conference entitled "Brain Building and Early Literacy and Numeracy" 6/30/2012

DOE EEC 7060-9200 191,806$ LDS Project 6/30/2013

Outgoing Funds

Incoming Funds

FY12 Budget: State Portion

Description: The FY12 overall state budget is $495.4M.

Major Expenses:1. Caseload: EEC has budgeted $433.8M for caseload in FY12. This represents

87.56% of the EEC state budget.2. Grants: EEC has budgeted $43.2M for grants in FY12. This represents 8.73%

of the EEC state budget.3. Staffing Related: EEC has budgeted $10.6M for staff related cost (payroll,

travel and payroll tax). This represents 2.1% of the entire state budget.

Financial Supports:1. 39.37% of the budgeted state funds are directly supported by the CCDF

block grant.2. 37.28% of the budgeted state funds are tied to EHS for the TANF block grant

(and a few smaller federal grants) reimbursement program supported by the CCDF block grant.

3. 15.36% of the budgeted state funds help fulfill requirements to access CCDF funds (state match and MOE).

4. 7.48% of the budgeted state funds are completely supported by the general fund and are not tied in any way to federal grant programs.

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Budget Priorities

The following represents EEC goals within the next 18 months, listed by priority. Specifics related to each goal are discussed in subsequent slides:

1. Summer Only Care 2. Infant/Toddler Rate Increase (Previous Board Vote)

3. Transportation4. General Access5. General Rate Reform6. Staffing: Licensing (Previous Board Vote)

7. Staffing: Fiscal Monitoring (Previous Board Vote)

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Budget Priorities

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(1) Summer Only Proposed - FY12 $210,276

1. Total Expense FY12 $210,276 - FY13 $1,577,0702. Total Expense FY13 $1,577,070- 779 children; Waitlist as of May 1, 2012

FY13 On average annual cost for child in care is $6500 ( net of parent fees) 243

(2) Infant Toddler 3% Increase Current Proposed ChangeFY12 Retroactive Jan 2012 - June 2012 - No. of Children 12,453 - 3% increase* N/A $2,090,795 $2,090,795

- 3% increase for Siblings ** N/A $47,219 $47,219

1. Total Expense FY12*** $102,288,262 $104,426,276 $2,138,014 - 3% increase* N/A $4,244,969 $4,244,969

- 3% increase for Siblings ** N/A $220,072 $220,0722. Total FY13 Expense N/A $4,465,041 $4,465,041* original calculation was for Apr. 1 - June 30, 2012* *Calculation based on contracts at full capacity and vouchers foreasted caseload for June 2012* ** Data represents actual spending FY12 YTD (July 11 - April 12)FY13 On average annual cost for child in care is $6500 ( net of parent fees) 687

Budget Priorities

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(3) Transportation Current Proposed ChangeOne Way Transportation Rate $6.00 $8.25 $2.25

Round Trip Transportation Rate $9.00 $12.25 $3.25Supportive Care(DCF) add-on-rate $17.22 $20.47 $3.25Average cost per child - IE $6.79 $9.24 $2.45Average cost per child - DTA $7.15 $9.73 $2.58No. of Children Transported - Income Eligible 8,026 8,026 0

- DTA 5,558 5,558 0

- Supportive (80% of 5,834 per mth.) 4,667 4,667 0

Total Children Transported Estimate 18,251 18,251 0

Expense based on Actual Round Trip Rates - Income Eligible $18,853,074 $25,661,129 $6,808,055

- DTA $24,979,986 $29,694,560 $4,714,574

- Supportive $20,975,458 $24,934,241 $3,958,7831. Total Expense Estimate for Round-trip at Actual Rate ($9 & $12.25) $64,808,519 $80,289,929 $15,481,411

Expense based on Actual Billed Expenditures Annualized - Income Eligible $14,220,727 $19,356,013 $5,135,286

- DTA $10,365,476 $14,108,582 $3,743,106

- Supportive $20,975,458 $24,934,241 $3,958,7832. Total Expense Estimate for Transportation at Avg. Cost per Child in

FY12 $45,561,661 $58,398,836 $12,837,175FY13 On average annual cost for child in care is $6500 ( net of parent fees) 1,975This chart provides a comparison of the transportation costs currently incurred to EEC proposed rate at $12.25 per round trip.The following assumption's have been incorporated for analysis purposes.1. There are 261 business days.2. The cost associated Children provided with transportation is round-trip and 80% of the children receiving services subsidized by Supportive (DCF) use transportation.3. Incremental increase for Supportive (DCF) of $3.25 is provided to children receiving transportation services only.4. No. of children is FY12 average of children billed for transportation July 2012 thru March 20125. Average transportation cost per child is based on actual dollars billed and actual no. of children transported July 2012 thru March 20126. Proposed Avg. cost per child estimate is proportional to actual avg. transportation cost at approx. 77.4% of $9.00

Budget Priorities

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(4) General Access FY13 Current Proposed ChangeFY13 - 500 children spread out over all regions* $0 $7,142,865 $7,142,865 - 3% increase Infant/Toddler ** $0 $95,866 $95,8661. Total FY13 Expense $0 $7,238,731 $7,238,731

FY13 - 1,000 children spread out over all regions* $0 $14,185,245.60 $14,185,246 - 3% increase Infant/Toddler ** $0 $194,108 $194,108

2. Total FY13 Expense $0 $14,379,354 $14,379,354

* Transportation included at current rate of $9 round-trip**On average for FY12 22% of children are Infant/ToddlerFY13 On average annual cost for child in care is $6500 ( net of parent fees) 2,212

(5) Rate Reform FY13* Current ** Proposed Change50% Percentile $461,810,640 $556,496,026 $94,685,38660% Percentile $461,810,640 $599,457,885 $137,647,24575% Percentile $461,810,640 $671,352,054 $209,541,413

Caseload - March 2012 51,891 51,891 0

*Cost assumption exclude In Home Care & Parent Fees**Current Cost is based on current rates and has not been adjusted for I/T Rate IncreaseCaseload has not been adjusted fo sibling accessFY13 On average annual cost for child in care is $6500 (net of parent fees) 50% Percentile children 14,567

60% Percentile children 21,176

Budget Priorities

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Board Recommendations to Support Positions in Fiscal, Policy, Quality Supports, and Communication

SalaryBoard

Recommendations FTE *

Annual Cost FY12 FY13

Director of Operations ** $85,276 1 $85,276 $85,276

(6) Child Care Licensing Specialist *** $50,265 16 $804,244 $804,240

Director of Community Partnership and Outreach **** $75,000 1 $75,000 $75,000Audit Resolution: Fiscal Monitor **** $59,292 3 $177,877 $59,292 $118,584Director of Policy, Evaluation & Research $75,000 1 $75,000 $75,000Policy Analyst - QRIS $61,303 1 $61,303 $61,303Policy Analyst - Generalist $61,303 1 $61,303 $61,303Manager, Deputy General Counsel $76,000 1 $76,000 $76,000Family/Community Quality Specialist $61,303 2 $122,606 $122,606Educator Provider Support Specialist $61,303 2 $122,606 $122,606

29 $1,661,215 $219,568 $1,441,642*FTEs authorized in state account: 155.3

**Repositioned Director of Human Resources

***Licensing Specialists; priority to fill positions

**** Postions funded by Federal Grant RTTT

Staffing

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Budget Priorities: Summer Only Care

FY13 Expense: $1,577,070

Summer Care Only provides care to school-age children facilitating continuity of care and education. It also allows parents to maintain employment. Therefore, EEC sees this as a critical and timely priority. If all 769 children currently on the waitlist are requesting Summer Care for the first time, the estimated cost would be approximately $1.76M which includes transportation for FY12 ($200K) and FY13($1.56M).

Opening access to Summer Only Care aligns with the FY2013 Governor’s Budget Recommendation:

“The Governor’s budget continues to support child care access to quality after school and day care programs for children within the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Transitional Assistance, and other qualified low income eligible families. Funding for early education and care remains a vital component to addressing the achievement gap and, this budget reflects the commitment through level funding the Reach Out and Read, Head Start Grants and Universal Pre-Kindergarten programs.”

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Budget Priorities: Infant/Toddler Rate Increase

FY13 Expense: $4,244,969

The EEC Board approved the Infant/Toddler increase in December 2010.

EEC’s original proposal was to provide a rate increase of about 3% for infant and toddler care only to providers achieving a rating of 2 or greater on the quality rating scale (QRIS), and potentially retroactive to January 1st, dependent on funding.

Policy rationale is based on the fact that these rates are further from market rate than rates for other populations (pre-school and school age); this makes it more difficult to find providers willing to serve this population and limits our capacity for providing service more sharply than in other populations.

The decision to tie the rate increase to QRIS was made consistent with the long term goals of EEC and its mission, and is intended to begin the process of relating voucher and contract funding to quality improvements, and setting rates not only based on type of child receiving care but on the quality of care received.

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Budget Priorities: Transportation

FY13 Expense: $12,837,175

Providing transportation aligns with EEC’s strategic goal to increase and promote family support, access, and affordability.

EEC provides transportation for children who meet our criteria. Safety of the children being transported is a primary concern of EEC.

The present recommendation is that the proposed rate increase for one-way should be $8.25 and round-trip should be $12.25 which represents the current cost to transport a child.

EEC’s policies mandate compliance with transportation laws/policies. Transportation providers are impacted financially with the policy(s) requiring monitors and/or monitoring devices.

Additional funding may be needed for the potential need for EEC oversight and monitoring.

A transportation rate increase without additional funding could require access to remain closed or the need to seek supplemental funding.

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Budget Priorities: General Access

FY13 Expense: $14,185,246 (for 1,000 children)

Access for Income Eligible vouchers has been closed from February 2011 through the present. Access was opened for siblings from early April through mid-May which represented approximately 3% of the total children on the waitlist. As of the April reports received May 20, approximately 570 siblings have been placed. General Priority waitlist has increased by 89.7% from February 2011 to April 2012.

Access to contract slots remains open for those providers who are at or below their 5% flex allocation.

Closing access did stabilize expenses in FY12. The continuation of keeping access closed has resulted in the Income Eligible caseload account to decrease. The Number of children served has decreased from 35,904 children in February 2011 to 31,193 children in March 2012. This represents a 13.89% decrease.

Vouchers - From February 2011 to March 2012 caseload decreased 3,995 - For the same time period 996 new IE vouchers were issued Contracts - From February 2011 to March 2012 caseload decreased by 1,037

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FY12 Proposed Staffing Budget: A Review

FY13 Expense: $100,530 (two child care licensing specialists)

History The EEC Board proposed that the FY12 EEC Budget begin the rebuilding of

the EEC Staffing Infrastructure by filling six essential positions at a total value of $379,114. The six positions were:

• Director of Community Partnership and Outreach: ($75,000)• Chief Operations Officer: ($85,000)• Two (2) Fiscal Monitors: ($59,292 each for a total of $118,584)• Two (2) Child Care Licensing Specialists: ($50,265 each for a total of

$100,530) This was to be the first stage in a multi-year effort to rebuild the EEC

staff to levels appropriate to provide quality management and delivery of the EEC mission.

Positions Filled We were able to fill the role of Chief Operations Officer only by redefining

the Director of Human Resources position to include this important task. Essentially, we have combined two important personnel functions in one person and role.

We have filled one of the Fiscal Monitor positions using RTTT funding. We are filling an Interagency Liaison Manager using RTTT funding, and

will incorporate into the position the responsibilities associated with the Director of Community Partnerships and Outreach.

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Budget Priorities: General Rate Reform

FY13 Expense: $137,647,245 (at the 60th percentile)

A document published by the Congressional Research Service on the CCDF Grant published January 2010 states:

“States are required to conduct a local market rate survey every two years to assess the price of child care being charged. Federal regulations suggest that states establish payment rates equal to at least the 75th percentile of the market rate to ensure equal access for eligible families. (That is, HHS recommends that states set their payment rate ceiling at a level that, on average, equals or exceeds the rate charged by three out of every four providers who responded to the local market rate survey.) However, federal law does not require that payments be set at this rate, nor that states use the most current market survey when setting rates. Instead, states must

include a summary of the facts they used in determining the sufficiency of their payment rates to ensure equal access when they submit their state plans.”

Our last market rate survey was done in FY11; we will do another in FY13.

The following chart reflects the percentage on average for Infant, Toddler, and Preschool children. Our current rates are from the 50th and 75th percentile market survey results and represent FY12 figures.

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Western Central N.E. Metro S.E. Boston75th Percentile -34% -41% -51% -59% -27% -55%50th Percentile -8% -11% -22% -26% -8% -17%

Early Learning Challenge Management

Staff Expansion due to ELC

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Advancing the Priority Areas

The child outcomes that we are trying to achieve require investment in four critical areas:

educator quality

program quality

screening and assessment

engagement of communities and families

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Priority: Educator Quality

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In FY12, EEC dedicated 2.1% of the total funds it received to the priority area of Educator Quality: $11,325,305

- FY12 GAA: $3,200,000

- RTTT-ELC: $8,125,305

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Workforce Development: Educator and Provider Support (EPS) Networks

Purpose: To provide professional development that: advances the professional growth (including degrees) of

educators enables providers (programs) to achieve accreditation

and higher QRIS levels.

Leaders: Adapt statewide initiatives to meet regional and local needs.

Educator Quality: ELC Initiatives

EEC/DHE Cross Agency Alignment EEC transferred funds to the Department of Higher Education

(DHE) via an Interagency Service Agreement (ISA) for a half time transfer/articulation specialist position to focus on implementation of the Early Childhood Education Transfer Compact, broadening access to higher education for educators who are English language learners (ELL), and to align higher education with best practices in the field.

Scholarship Expansion EEC provided $1 million to support funding of additional

coursework for recipients of the Early Childhood Educators’ Scholarship who work in a program that is engaged in QRIS.

Media Partnership with WGBH EEC has hired WGBH to develop media-based curriculum,

professional development, and parent resources to support children’s early literacy development

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Educator Quality: SAC Initiative

Early Education / Higher Education Workforce Preparation Partnership

Complete development of an early education and care workforce preparation data infrastructure partnership with DHE and with public/private higher education institutions.

Phase I Study: Institutions of Higher Education Mapping Project

Phase II Study: Facilitate the transfer of credits between IHEs. Early childhood degree and certificate required coursework was compared at participating IHEs to identify common course themes and map courses to the Core Competency areas.

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Ensuring Competency: Plans for Workforce Knowledge, Skills and Practice-Based SupportPrograms Supported by RTTT Funding

Validation of workforce core competencies in social/emotional development and literacy/ numeracy and to conduct a study of best practices in supporting social and emotional development.

Institutions of Higher Education training of early childhood educators in an innovative program for English language learners educators.

Post-Master’s degree certificate in early education and policy leadership.

Infrastructure for evidence-based coaching and mentoring that will greatly enhance the quality of the early childhood education workforce.

Create an online curriculum hub for early educators and a “School Readiness” website for parents through expansion of the state’s (ESE) media partnership with WGBH.

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Priority: Program Quality

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In FY12, EEC dedicated 6.4% of the total funds it received to the priority area of Program Quality: $35,160,225

- FY12 GAA: $8,617,995

- RTTT-ELC: $26,542,230

Program Quality: Current Initiatives

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In FY12 EEC dedicated $8,617,995 in GAA funds to Program Quality.

UPK Focus on serving high needs children, and requirements that

providers must be at self-assess Level 3 in QRIS and that a competitive compensation package be provided for lead teachers.

Services for Infants and Parents This includes QRIS grants and initiatives and conferences like

Tools of the Mind, Early Literacy Conference, pre-STEM training, and the Conference on Literacy, Numeracy, Social, and Emotional Well-Being.

Program Quality: ELC Initiatives

QRIS Program Quality Grant Expansion Additional $315,004.00 to 90 programs that completed the

QRIS On-line Fundamentals Course.

On Line QRIS Course: 2 hour course on the fundamentals of the QRIS, released in

English, Spanish, English and Haitian-Creole. • Introduction to the QRIS• Current science of brain development• Five categories of the QRIS Standards• Measurement tools and structural quality indicators• Apply knowledge to identify program improvement

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QRIS Steps and Phases of Quality

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Program Quality: SAC Initiative

Policy and Best Practices for Children & Families with Limited English Proficiency and/or Developmental Delays or Multiagency Involvement

Development of policy and best practices and recommended models for early education and care serving limited English proficient children and families and/or children with developmental delays or multiple system involvement.

Through three in-depth meetings EEC will support Principals and community-based providers in spending time learning together in three areas of timely importance to the Commonwealth:• Child growth and development• Literacy• Dual language learners

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Priority: Assessment and Outcomes

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In FY12, EEC dedicated 83.7% of the total funds it received to the priority area of Assessment and Child Outcomes: $456,388,299

- FY12 GAA: $450,504,829

- RTTT-ELC: $5,863,470 - Help Me Grow National Technical

Assistance Center: $20,000

Access to growth and developmental screenings and assessments for all children

EEC Comprehensive Assessment Strategy

Estimated 450,000 children: in communities, EEC programs, and schools – including Child Find, CFCE programs

Program Environment

Norm Referenced Summative Assessment

Adult/Child Interactions

Screening Assessments

Assessment/Outcomes: ELC Initiatives

Common Metric Project EEC and ESE will develop a common metric to measure

students at entry to kindergarten and provide a statewide picture to guide professional development, policy planning and intervention in preschool and K-3.

This common metric will be built off the use of one of three evidence based assessments which teachers will use at multiple points in the Kindergarten year to individualize teaching.

Massachusetts Alignment Study Plan Columbia University is evaluating the state’s early learning

and development standards for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners, to evaluate alignment between the standards and selected assessments.

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Assessment / Outcomes: SAC Initiatives

Early Childhood Information System Development and Use

Work on the next phase of the state’s ECIS to enhance connections and information exchange with the SLDS.

Needs Assessment Design and implementation of the required needs assessment with a special

emphasis on multi-risk families with infants and toddlers

Needs assessment will be conducted and analyzed throughout the tenure of the SAC ARRA grant.

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Priority: Family/Community Engagement

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In FY12, EEC dedicated 4.4% of the total funds it received to the priority area of Communities and Families: $23,945,500- FY12 GAA: $20,949,500

- RTTT-ELC: $ 2,996,000

Family/Community EngagementCurrent Initiatives

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In FY12 EEC dedicated $20,949,500 in GAA funds to Program Quality. Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grantees

Through a network of 101 grantees across the Commonwealth, actively identify and serve families that are the most socially isolated, “hard to reach,” and hence at greatest risk for developmental delays;

Provide high-quality, accurate consumer information and parent education based on science; Provide evidence-based early and family literacy programming; Support families through the continuum of services and supports needed for child development

birth to 13, including intentional support into kindergarten, and

Mental Health Promote the healthy social and emotional development of all children, particularly those children

whose emotional development is compromised by poverty, biological, or family risk factors, or other circumstances which may contribute to toxic levels of stress;

Build the capacity of early education and care program staff to enhance children’s learning through positive, nurturing interactions with children and with their families and to address the needs of children who exhibit behavioral challenges;

Attend to social-emotional needs of children so they are ready to learn and be successful in their early education;

Maximize resources by ensuring that certain mental health interventions are funded, when appropriate, through insurance payments.

Access Management Funds given to CCRRs to support the management of the voucher system and delivery of voucher

and access information to the general public. Voucher Management pilot implemented. Review being done on the efficiency of the system.

Family/Community Engagement: ELC Initiatives

Financial Literacy Education EEC hired the Massachusetts Community Action Programs (MASSCAP) to develop a

Financial Literacy Education online course and accompanying webinar, and will provide trainer’s training on these to the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grantees (CFCE) in the Commonwealth.

Refugee and Immigrant Families Interagency Service Agreement with the Office of Refugees and Immigrants to hire an

Early Education and Care Liaison to improve communication between programs and immigrant/refugee families

Museums and Libraries Partnership Boston Children’s Museum is implementing a statewide strategy to provide a shared

framework and resources to increase the capacity of museums and libraries to support the optimal development of all children through intentional family engagement activities and early learning opportunities.

Four areas of focus: early literacy, school readiness including preparation for Kindergarten, interest and awareness of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), and public awareness of the importance of early education and care through Brain Building in Progress

Media Partnership with WGBH EEC has hired WGBH to develop media-based curriculum, professional development, and

parent resources to support children’s early literacy

Parent Brochures EEC is developing parent brochures for the Pre-school Leaning Experiences for release in

July 2012.

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Family/Community Engagement: ELC Initiatives

Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers Online course through Westfield State University

Stress the importance of interaction and early literacy in the healthy development of young children.

Materials for Parents Inspired by the Infant and Toddler Guidelines Parents have the greatest impact on their children’s life. The first three

years of life are a time of rapid brain development and learning.  The “Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers”, were developed

with the focus on relationships between all significant people in the child’s world. 

EEC has developed “Learn and Grow Together” materials for parents which are inspired by these guidelines.  

The documents were translated into Haitian, Khmer, and Spanish

   

Sustaining Program Effects in the Early Elementary Grades Activities include the Early Educators’ Fellowship Initiative, grants to

existing Regional Readiness Centers to provide professional development opportunities to the early education and care workforce, and alignment of PK to 3 as part of the rural grant strategy.

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Family / Community Engagement: SAC Initiative

SAC Funds have supported a Two Year Process

Year One Rural Community Strategic Planning: One-time grants to selected Coordinated

Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grantees serving rural communities to support community birth through age 8 (“B-8”) three year strategic plans.

Birth to 8 Assessment, Screening, and Curriculum Support and Alignment: One-time grants to non-profit entities serving rural communities in partnership with public school, public school districts, and/or a Charter school  serving children pre-kindergarten to third grade to support assessment, screening, and curriculum support and alignment within the communities. schools?

Year Two Community Strategic Planning: One-time grants awarded to selected

Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grantees serving in Gateway, District Level 4 Schools, and Home Visiting communities to support community birth through age 8 (“B-8”) three year strategic plans.

Birth to 8 Assessment, Screening, and Curriculum Support and Alignment: One-time grants to Gateway, District Level 4 Schools, and Home Visiting Communities. Applicants had to be in partnership with non-profit communities including public schools, public school districts, and/or charter schools serving children pre-kindergarten to third grade to support assessment, screening, and curriculum support and alignment.

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