Gorge Early Learning Coalition

1. Gorge Early Learning Coalition Welcome

2. Coalition Partners Ft. Vancouver Regional Library Mid Columbia Children’s Council Skamania Klickitat Community Network ESD 112 Support for Early Learning & Families Southwest Washington Early Learning Coalition White Salmon School District Stevenson-Carson School District WeeCare of Stevenson Goldendale School District

3. Coalition Vision In Skamania and Klickitat counties our youngest children are valued, nurtured and prepared for success in school and life by community investment in early learning.

4. Mission Statement To prepare our youngest children for success by connecting families and communities.

5. This is achieved by: • Emphasizing the crucial role of parents as their child’s first teacher. • Encouraging community based learning opportunities for children and families. • Developing innovative methods of sharing knowledge, information, and programs that contribute towards every child’s health, development and future school success. • Serving as advocates for the purpose of educating our communities about the importance of early childhood education.

6. Emphasizing the crucial role of parents as their child’s first teacher. Information and discussions at Learn and Plays. Resources, free books and handouts for parents and children at events and activities. Love, Talk, Play messaging

7. Encouraging community based learning opportunities for children and families. Establishment of Learn and Play programs in White Salmon, B-Z Corner, Stevenson and Goldendale. Summer L&P programs supported by Ft. Vancouver regional Library. Week of the Young Child events: Math Carnivals, parades, Head Start activities, local proclamations. Free film series-”Where Do The Children Play?” and “Including Samuel”. Supported Dallesport’s Summer 2015 Reading Program

8. Developing innovative methods of sharing knowledge, information, and programs that contribute towards every child’s health, development and future school success. Family resource tables at Learn and Play programs in White Salmon, Stevenson and Goldendale. Outreach to schools, home school groups, child care sites, agencies and organizations. Attendance at community events. Tom Drummond: Mathematics and Design Training. REACH equity training August 2015.

9. Serving as advocates for the purpose of educating our communities about the importance of early childhood education. Hosted visit by Dr. Betty Hyde, Director of Washington State’s Department of Early Learning. Participated in development of Washington State Early Learning Plan. Standing member of state level Southwest Washington Early Learning Coalition WaKIDS Pilot Program in Whitson Elementary, White Salmon. (Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills) Dr. David Willis, Infant and Early Child Development Matters. ACEs and resiliency awareness trainings provided.. Advocacy efforts for Early Start legislation early 2015. Participated in REACH equity training August 2015.

10. Ongoing Work • Parent Information and Support GOAL: To achieve a cultural norm with parents and families aware of the importance of early learning/literacy, school readiness expectations, and the resources available to support parent/family success as their child’s first teacher. • School Readiness GOAL: To develop a clear understanding of what it takes to be school ready across agencies, families and the greater community; and to engage parents and children in school readiness and early literacy activities. • Early Care and Education GOAL: Professional Development and Training is easily accessible to all early learning providers through a coordinated system of resources resulting in a more effective, integrated system that utilizes onsite follow-up and mentoring. Family care providers are connected through a Provider Network.

11. Because All Our Kids Matter • Work together • Continued commitment • Shared successes