Early Learning Advisory Council Update RTT-ELC Update and Preschool Expansion

1. Early Learning Advisory Council Update • RTT-ELC Update and Preschool Expansion • February 2014

2. Grant Management Accomplishments • Internal program integration at DEL • Role clarity and information sharing between primary implementing partners of Early Achievers Lessons Learned • Data systems challenges

3. TQRIS Expansion Accomplishments • By December 31, 2013, 2,011 programs had registered with Early Achievers,serving 60,719 children. • In calendar year 2013, CCA of WA reached 2,650 individual providers • Completion of the HS/ECEAP Early Achievers pilot, and development of Reciprocity Plan. Lessons Learned • Policy changes and incentives to encourage programs to move through the rating process.

4. TQRIS Infrastructure Accomplishments • The University of Washington facilitated two, four-day Early Achievers Institutes for Early Achievers participants. • “Rating Readiness Consultation” is now offered to facilities that have achieved a designated Level 2 status. • Developing a tiered coaching framework • To date, CCA of WA has built an Early Achievers workforce of more than 125 individuals Lessons Learned • modifications to the current Early Achievers online enrollment data systems for Head Start and ECEAP

5. WaKIDS Accomplishments • WaKIDS reached nearly half (47%) of kindergarteners • During the 2013-14 school year, 1,800 teachers in 187 districts participated in WaKIDS. • A total of 1,318 teachers were trained on TS GOLD and the WaKIDS process in 2013. • TS GOLD data is used to inform instruction, share information with families during conference time and track individual child progress over time. Lessons Learned • Data system links to ensure that we are looking forward and backward with assessment data

6. Professional Development Accomplishments • 532 scholarships were offered in 2013 • 486 individuals have become state-approved trainers. • In January 2013, early learning professionals became eligible to receive professional development incentives • Nineteen colleges are currently offering Early Achievers Opportunity Grants Lessons Learned • The complexity of our education verification process • Technical assistance to support MERIT support

7. Looking Ahead – Year 3 • Shift from achieving full-scale implementation to the refinement and improvement of the new systems and processes. • Strengthened alignment between Early Achievers and Washington Pre-K  program; • Evaluate and assess the Level 2 components • Assess the ratings process looking for opportunities to streamline and simplify; • Continued improvements of the data systems

8. New Opportunities = “More” DEL is bringing our EL programs & initiatives together with common goals in mind: • Serve more children – especially low income children • More quality – provide high quality services that make an impact on child outcomes • More services – More instructional hours, higher dosage, more continuity of high quality care • More resources – Access more resources to implement high quality services • More integration - Streamline eligibility, enrollment and program standards & requirements (ECEAP, EA, licensing, etc) 2014 ECEAP Expansion and the Launch of Washington Preschool embody all these goals!

9. Washington Preschool “A high-quality preschool program with higher intensity than the state-funded Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) and rigorous accountability is recommended, with the aim of significantly increasing the number of children in all population groups that are prepared for kindergarten…” Washington Preschool Plan 2011

10. What is WPK and how does it relate to ECEAP? History of Washington Preschool • 6759 Legislative Taskforce and the Plan Since 2011 – • ECEAP Expansion plan – 2018 goal • RTT-ELC, Early Achievers, WaKIDS – • National UPK focus, the President’s Initiative We’re ready for Phase One… The foundation for building a universally available preschool program is ensuring that our lowest income and highest risk children have more access to high quality preschool services

11. Why Full Day Services? Research shows that “More is Better” • Adequate hours of instruction needed to impact child outcomes • Dosage and intensity has even more impact on vulnerable children • Dosage and intensity increases the impact of other quality elements: adult-child interactions, stimulating environments, professional development, qualified teachers Full day services – changing perspectives: • More than meeting parents’ child care needs • Important structural component of quality

12. Goals of 2014 ECEAP Expansion/Phase One WPK • Provide ECEAP to more eligible children, especially in underserved areas • Enhance ECEAP – provide more full day services (higher intensity, higher dose) • Learn more about how ECEAP services can be delivered in mixed delivery settings – • Engage ECEAP programs in further development of Washington Preschool • Bottom line – this expansion will bring MORE resources for MORE ECEAP to MORE children

13. Funding Priorities Program Model Priority • Full Day Models Other priorities • Underserved areas: • In full day K districts • % saturation • Other demonstrated need • Special Populations • Capacity and Experience • Partnerships – including mixed delivery settings • Budget Justification

14. Applicant Requirements • A public or private nonsectarian organization • Licensed to do business in WA • EA Participation and ratings timeline • Demonstrated capacity to provide high quality preschool and comprehensive services • Service area agreements • Other possible requirements • Licensing/certification – alignment and expedited process TBD • Revised performance standards – in process • Minimum slot requirements – TBD

15. 2014 ECEAP Expansion/WPK Program Options Goal: increase instructional hours; create administrative efficiency for grantees

16. New Funding Strategy Why a new funding strategy? • Increase instructional hours • Promote stable funding and continuity of care • Reduce administrative burden Key Components • Braided WCCC and ECEAP funding • One contract from DEL • One cost per child • Aligned enrollment, eligibility & other program standards • Streamlined monitoring, oversight, contract requirements

17. Who Should Apply? We need all types of programs to apply: • Schools, community organizations, child care programs • Early Achievers participants • Capacity to provide high quality preschool and comprehensive services • New and existing ECEAP/WPK contractors

18. RFA Process & Timeline • RFA released first week of March • Intent to apply – by end of March (optional) • Bidder’s conferences – March • Application due – mid-May • Funding decisions – early June • Contracts begin – July 1, 2015 • Services begin – ASAP and by ~Jan 1, 2015

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