Child Care and Development Fund, Report to Congress for Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003
Part VII: Training and Technical Assistance
MAJOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PRIORITIES
Good Start, Grow Smart
The President's Good Start, Grow Smart early learning initiative was a cornerstone of CCB's TA efforts in FY 2002 and FY 2003. Launched in April 2002, Good Start, Grow Smart challenged State CCDF programs to improve children's literacy through: voluntary early learning guidelines (ELGs), professional development plans, and coordination of early childhood programs. The Associate Commissioner's Early Learning Team (ELT), composed of Federal and contract staff, designed a comprehensive training model to provide States with the resources and tools to implement and assess their efforts in meeting Good Start, Grow Smart priorities, as well as plan next steps with other Early Childhood Education (ECE) partners.
CCB joined with Head Start and the U.S. Department of Education to disseminate the latest early childhood literacy research through joint conferences and training. In September 2002 the Bureau hosted a roundtable for nine States that had successfully developed ELGs across early childhood programs. Building on the lessons shared during the roundtable, CCB worked with States toward the development and implementation of ELGs and plans for professional development and coordination.
In FY 2003, CCB directed its TA network to deliver Good Start, Grow Smart training to the 50 States, Territories, and the District of Columbia through 10 HHS/ACF regional meetings. Good Start, Grow Smart was introduced to Tribes at both their spring 2003 National Tribal Conference and at the Regional Tribal Cluster Trainings. These forums helped tribal policymakers find ways to use CCDF dollars to leverage State early learning funding and build stronger partnerships with early care and education stakeholders in States' systems.
With the Department of Education, CCB also cosponsored regional Early Childhood Educator Academies for State and local early childhood policymakers to advance the goals of the Good Start, Grow Smart initiative. Head Start State Collaboration Directors were also invited to the Academy trainings. The key training goals of the Academies were to-
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Develop an understanding of high quality voluntary State guidelines in early literacy.
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Create a common base of knowledge about scientific research-based instructional practices, professional development, and assessment.
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Promote interagency collaboration across the field of early childhood education.
As a result of CCB's regional and interagency Good Start, Grow Smart training opportunities, States requested and received onsite TA to focus on one or more of the Good Start, Grow Smart priority areas. For example, West Virginia received TA from the National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC) TA team that helped them develop a comprehensive professional development system that may serve as a model for other States. The National Infant and Toddler Project and NCCIC worked with Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, and several other States on the development of ELGs for children birth to age 3, while NCCIC worked with Alaska, South Carolina, Montana, and many other States to develop ELGs for children aged 3-5. By the end of FY 2003, all State child care administrators were planning, developing, or implementing ELGs and professional development programs in collaboration with other ECE partners in their State.
In recognition that a comprehensive, child development-based approach is necessary, the Center for the Social and Emotional Foundations of Early Learning, a joint project of CCB and the Head Start Bureau, developed research-based training materials on creating a positive learning environment and preventing disruptive behavior in child care facilities and Head Start programs. These materials are available in English and Spanish.
Supporting an Early Learning Framework CD-ROMCCB released a TA CD-ROM titled "Supporting an Early Learning Framework" based on the July 2003 State Administrators Meeting (SAM). This interactive tool includes research, practice, and resources focused on the President's Good Start, Grow Smart early literacy initiative. It includes video clips of plenary sessions and selected workshops, PowerPoint presentations, handouts, electronic links, and additional resources available for download. The CD-ROM is suitable for use by State child care administrators, Head Start directors, preschool and early care education providers, TA trainers, and others. The CD-ROM can be used to train staff, learn what States are doing to support early learning, engage new partners, find print and online resources and reports in specific topic areas, and reach new constituencies. The Bureau is currently developing a second CD-ROM based on the SAM 2004 conference. |
COLLABORATION AND FINANCING
In FY 2002 and FY 2003, CCB consulted with States and Tribes to improve coordination across early care and education programs and funding streams toward better use of available dollars and more seamless service delivery. The Bureau's TA efforts highlighted ways to better use the flexibility CCDF and TANF funding offer; disseminated research and expertise to support smarter policy choices; and promoted partnerships with others who receive funding for similar purposes.