Early Learning Challenge Transformation Zone

1. Early Learning Challenge Transformation Zone Jonathan Kotch and Jackie Quirk May 8, 2012 Supports to Families Support to Early Learning and Development Programs

2. ELC Transformation Zone Strategies • Support to Families • Northeast Connects • Triple P • Community-based Literacy Program • Supports to ELD programs • Supports for young children with challenging behaviors in ELD programs • Supports for ELD program administrators and teachers related to the health and development of young children in their programs • Other Resources • Additional high quality ELD program slots for infants and toddlers • New part-time high quality ELD program services • WAGE$ supplements to retain teachers/providers who have two- or four-year degrees.

3. Brief Description of the Strategy CCHCs will provide health and safety support services to child care facilities in the Transformation Zone Child Care Health Consultants • are health professionals who know about child health, child development, and child care • have expert information, resources, and referrals to offer to child care facilities through onsite and telephone consultation, health education and technical assistance.

4. NUMBER OF CHILDREN/FAMILIES who can be served • Two local CCHC serve 24 facilities • 6 will receive intensive services for a 9 month period • Regional CCHC provides training and mentoring/coaching for local CCHCs • concentrated support for the 5 chosen counties • in the whole 17 county region

5. Theoretical Foundation • Optimal health is a necessary foundation for successful transition to school and early school success • There is a complex interrelationship among biology, environment, and social relationships as essential for healthy development • ~25% of children 0-4 are in regulated early care and education • CCHCs work with early educators and families to optimize health, safety, nutrition, and disease prevention

6. Core Components We recommend • Salary • Training • Travel • Laptop and mobile phone • Possible incentives? • Toys (hula hoops, scarves) • Books

7. Fidelity • Scope of Practice • Code of Ethics • Job description • Monitoring tools • Regional CCHC oversight/coaching

8. Training • Local CCHCs • Trained by the RC • Supplemental training and coaching from Regional CCHC • Regional CCHCs • State sponsored coaching training • May be trained by NTI • Additional professional development arranged by the RC

9. Coaching • RC and state-wide support for coaching by the Regional CCHCs • Regional CCHCs coach local CCHCs • Local CCHCs coach early educators

10. “Staff” Selection • Regional level • BSN with child health experience • Child care experience • Local level • RNs with child health experience

11. Data to inform Decision-Making Track changes in • facility health & safety policies • staff health & safety behaviors • children’s access to health services • absences due to illness and medically attended injuries • developmental status, dietary intake, BMI

12. Organizational Supports • Prioritize hiring RNs as CCHCs • Team approach • RN • Health Educator • dental hygienist • nutritionist

13. System Intervention • Child care specialists, home visitors, early interventionists • Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies/ Local Partnerships for Inclusion • Local Health Departments • Department of Social Services • Medical/ dental home(s) • Head Start/Early Head Start • Public pre-K

14. Summary • Children need to be healthy for successful development • Children early education need health promotion and disease prevention • CCHCs promote healthy and safe environments in early education • Children need CCHCs!