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Born Learning Trail Webinar

Born Learning Trail Webinar. July 23, 2008 2-3:30 pm EST. Today’s Presenters. Amy Casavina , United Way of Greater New Haven. Toni-Marie Van Buren, United Way of San Antonio/Bexar County. Caroline Stout, United Way of East Central Iowa.

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Born Learning Trail Webinar

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  1. Born Learning Trail Webinar July 23, 2008 2-3:30 pm EST

  2. Today’s Presenters Amy Casavina, United Way of Greater New Haven Toni-Marie Van Buren,United Way of San Antonio/Bexar County Caroline Stout,United Way of East Central Iowa Amy Townsley, United Way of Greater New Haven Rachel Perry,SB6 Director of Communications Ashley Snyder, SB6 Summer Associate

  3. Agenda • Born Learning Trail Overview • Best Practices • United Way of Greater New Haven, Amy Townsley and Amy Casavina • United Way of East Central Iowa, Caroline Stout • United Way of San Antonio/Bexar County, Toni-Marie Van Buren • Additional Born Learning Trail Tips • Resources from UWA and BornLearning.org • Questions

  4. Putting It All Into Context • Born Learning Trail is part of United Way of America’s Born Learning public engagement campaign • Goal of Born Learning:to help parents, caregivers & communities create early learning opportunities for young children • Offers tools to create visibility, add value to parent outreach & increase velocity to community mobilization efforts

  5. Born Learning Snapshot • Used as a strategy to reach family, friends & neighbor caregivers • Some 4 million parents and 2 million childrenreached • Books to 500,000 children through United Way partnerships • National visibility designed for local adaptation • $105 million worth of donated media reaching 6 million households • 55% of those who see ads say they’re changing behaviors • 200,000 visits/month to www.BornLearning.org for parent tips • New opportunities for partners, sponsors, projects • 700 local & state campaigns

  6. The Born Learning Toolkit500+ online tips, tools & templates to: • 1. Raise awareness • Increase visibility about early learning with Ad Council PSAs, media relations tips & templates • 2. Educate parents, grandparents & caregivers • Educate parents on child development & make it fun with “learning on the go” ideas in material & on Web site (www.BornLearning.org) • 3. Mobilize communities to action • Build public will to make policy, program or budget change, with community action tools & technical assistance

  7. Born Learning Levels of EngagementBorn Learning Trail offers multiple levels of engagement • PSA placement • Public relations • Localizing educational material • Proactive material distribution • Working with partners to target parents • Targeting opinion leaders and policy makers • Engaging stakeholders & volunteers • Using multiple tools to drive your overall strategy • Awareness • Education • Action

  8. Born Learning TrailInteractive, playful, visible & permanent impact

  9. Features of the Trail - Stencils • Using stencils (shapes, letters, and hopscotch squares) can increase the physical fun for adults and children using the Trail. • Stencils measure 3 feet by 3 feet, and are made of durable material that is washable and reusable. • Hopscotch stencil is 12 feet long by 3 feet wide.

  10. More Features of the Trail • Poster • can be localized to promote the Born Learning Trail installation, or to invite volunteers to get engaged in an existing trail • 14" x 18" paper poster • colorful and engaging • Media & Installation Guide • strategies to maximize the Born Learning Trail with media, volunteers and sponsors • Promotional Items • T-shirt • Born Learning Trail water bottle

  11. How to Order a Born Learning Trail Kit • Kits are sold through the United Way Store: http://www.unitedwaystore.com • Cost is $1,250 • Each Kit is localized with your organization name/logo at no extra cost. • This product is produced after ordering and is available two to four weeks after order date.

  12. Trail Updates and Improvements • As of Nov. 2007 • Anti-graffiti • Remove graffiti easily with lighter fluid • 3x thicker • Greater durability, though for best results install backer board • Now Available! • Metal Signs

  13. What You’ll Receive • 10 Unique Exterior Signs (12” x 24”) with a 2-4 yr life expectancy • Optional localized imprint • 60 sign screws • 1 Media & Installation Guide • 1 Reusable hopscotch stencil (12’ x 3’) • 1 Reusable Circle Stencil (3’ x 3’) • 1 Reusable rectangle/square stencil (3’ x 3’) • 1 Reusable ABC stencil (3’ x 3’) • 1 Born Learning trail poster (14” x 18”) • 1 Born Learning sample water bottle • 1 Born Learning trail kit t-shirt (size: large)

  14. United Way of Greater New HavenOverview • New Haven, Connecticut • Metro 2 • Serve 12 urban and suburban • communities in Southern CT • Great economic, education • and health disparities between • communities served • Community leadership in early childhood education

  15. United Way of Greater New Haven Planning/Partners • Attempted partnership with local university • Teamed up with Regional Water Authority for Day of Caring, longtime partner • Contacted Comcast, not available for Day of Caring but still wanted to participate through own Comcast Cares Day

  16. United Way of Greater New Haven Planning/Funding • Community Impact and Resource Development collaboration • Asked for enough to cover semi-permanent installation, $2500-$5000 • Additional materials, such as tools and framing for the signs, were provided by RWA and Comcast • Under-estimating costs caused for some reimbursement

  17. United Way of Greater New Haven Planning/Site selection • Keefe Center • Contacted School Readiness Councils • Laid out specific criteria that sites must meet • Conte West/Hills School • Comcast came forward with site in mind • Negotiated union issues with the city and Board of Education

  18. United Way of Greater New Haven Building the Trail • Laid out trail prior to installation • Keefe Center • Experienced lead person from RWA • 18 volunteers: Extra volunteers did refurbishment • Conte West/Hills School • Comcast brought local teens to help • Designed frames for the signs • Challenges

  19. United Way of Greater New Haven Publicity • Keefe Center • Part of Day of Caring publicity • Unable to secure permission to hold kickoff event at site • Conte West/Hills School • Comcast headlined project for Comcast Cares Day • Held opening ceremony with Mayor, Board of Education

  20. United Way of Greater New Haven Future Plans/Events • Strengthening the classroom • piece • Partnering with medical center • for Days of Caring • Seasonal maintenance • Looking to work with Head Starts • and other Child Care centers

  21. United Way of Greater New Haven Evaluation Tools • Gaining feedback from site supervisors • Reports of much use by classroom and afternoon programs • Lack of vandalism/graffiti reflects level of respect • for the trails • Considering having a suggestion box

  22. United Way of Greater New Haven Lessons Learned • Engage sponsors interested in long-term commitment • Leverage the initial investment • Have on-site expertise • Understand the legal issues • Map out the trail

  23. United Way of East Central IowaOverview Cedar Rapids, Iowa Metro 1A Encompasses six rural counties with Cedar Rapids as an urban center Cedar Rapids is 2nd largest city in Iowa (pop. 250,000) Early childhood strategies: Child care quality improvement Parent outreach 23

  24. United Way of East Central IowaPlanning Young Leaders Society adopted the Born Learning initiative Installation of Born Learning Trail to provide visibility for the launch of the initiative Young Leader’s Society funded majority of trail expenses Trail installation Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative Day of Caring project Kickoff event held on Saturday the following week 24

  25. United Way of East Central IowaPlanning/Site selection Location: large local park centrally located in Cedar Rapids Criteria for selection Near low-income neighborhoods Paved sidewalks for stenciling Desire to enhance activities in park Site preparation Site maintenance agreements CR Parks & Rec. provides typical maintenance UWECI responsible for sign & stenciling maintenance 25

  26. United Way of East Central IowaBuilding the Trail Pre-planning Researched painting instructions Expertise of Linn County REC Volunteers Five volunteers installed signs, another 5 painted Main installation completed in 4 hours Materials Backer boards pre-cut QuikCrete eliminated need for water and mixing Hopscotch number stencils 26

  27. United Way of East Central IowaEvent and Publicity Event activities Trail interaction Giveaways Story Time Publicity Invitations to YLS members Flyers to parents through early childhood providers Press releases 27

  28. United Way of East Central IowaCurrent Usage and Future Plans Usage of current trail Families visiting park Preschool field trips Parent education groups Promotion Annual campaign Leadership giving events Early childhood networks Installation of trail in other counties 28

  29. United Way of East Central IowaLessons Learned Park location for trail Young Leaders Society sponsorship Keep the event focused on the trail Volunteers with organization and expertise Relationships with partners 29

  30. United Way of San Antonio/Bexar County Overview Metro 1C 368.6 square miles of urban and rural Population: 1,392,931; nearly 60% Latino Children’s Issue Council Goal: Improve school readiness in two high stress zip codes. 11,860 children age 0-5 15% of teen births 2/3 cared for by FFN 45% enter kindergarten not ready to learn 8 children under age 5 killed by caregiver 30

  31. United Way of San Antonio/Bexar County Planning/Partners Women’s Leadership Council funded 20 kits Days of Caring City Year Community Kickoff Project Used as incentive for child care centers Shared resources Shared logos 31

  32. United Way of San Antonio/Bexar County Planning/Funding Funding for 20 kits through Women’s Leadership Early Childhood is a priority “matching” area Contributed $115,000 to Children’s Issue Council Additional materials/equipment expenses covered by WLC Lowe’s (national City Year partner) Labor 32

  33. United Way of San Antonio/Bexar County Planning/Site selection Sites: 1st tier: local childcare centers & Headstarts in target area participating in Quality Mentor Project Children’s Museum, Zoo, Botanical Gardens Designed a “mobile” unit Planning partners included: sites, a retired contractor, city, Volunteer Center, City Year, Issue Council, Parks & Rec Left location up to each site. One was a disaster Each site agrees to maintain and utilize. Some issues with graffiti 33

  34. United Way of San Antonio/Bexar County Building the Trail All sites required pre-visits Initial installation was 2-half days (8-1pm) to allow cement to dry overnight – not necessary 12 volunteers each morning Provided t-shirts, caps, water bottles and lunch Parks & Rec. used auger to dig the holes for Days of Caring; City Year kids dug holes (time-consuming) Power tools made the job easier; so did having an experienced contractor review and design the installation steps and materials 34

  35. United Way of San Antonio/Bexar County Publicity Used as centerpiece story for Days of Caring City Year used as Kick-off Great visuals 35

  36. United Way of San Antonio/Bexar County Future Plans/Events Mobile unit allows us to move the kit for use during campaign and other events Zoo and Botanical Gardens incorporating into early childhood theme Design a “take-away” generic map with parenting tips Install throughout city (only in 2 zips) 36

  37. United Way of San Antonio/Bexar County Evaluation Tools Centers continue to report positively about the Trail and have incorporated into their ECE Many report parents utilizing it evenings and weekends Children’s Museum has indoor installation and map. Give “Recipes for Learning” book to families that complete the indoor trail Our logo partners want to install more 37

  38. United Way of San Antonio/Bexar County Lessons Learned 1. Power Tools, especially an auger, are a “must” 2. Have an “expert” 3. Be prepared for others to request a trail at their site 4. Have evaluation plan in advance 5. Incentives for volunteers go a long, long way 38

  39. Bright Ideas from the Field • United Way of Dayton, OH • Placed trail on Campfire grounds, site of an internal afterschool program • Sought funding from multiple sources based on the particular need • Refurbishment tips • Brought in U.S. Sen. Mike Turner for Opening Ceremony • United Way of Greater Cincinnati • Using the trail at local community-wide events to promote Born Learning

  40. Additional Tips from the Field • Monroe County United Way Fund, Inc. • Compiled data from the community to show need and pitched as part of overall EC strategy to improve community • Informed teachers in community • United Way of Greater Chattanooga • Signed on ACE Hardware as true Born Learning partner and advocate • Southern Adventist College’s Early Childhood Education Program adopted the trail

  41. Resources • Identifying and Engaging Allies • http://www.bornlearning.org/default.aspx?id=119 • Getting Stakeholders Involved • http://www.bornlearning.org/default.aspx?id=167 • Mobilizing your community • http://www.bornlearning.org/default.aspx?id=103

  42. Thank you

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