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School Readiness Co-chairs

This document provides an introduction to the School Readiness Grant Program, including its purpose, grant types, important facts, required quality components, and the responsibilities of School Readiness Councils and liaisons.

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School Readiness Co-chairs

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  1. School Readiness Co-chairs Introduction to School Readiness - 2016

  2. Overview • Grant program established in 1997 • CGS 10-16o Provide spaces in high-quality* preK programs for eligible children in priority school districts or competitive grant communities *NAEYC Accredited or Head Start Approved

  3. Purpose • Provide access to high-quality preK • Encourage parental choice • Coordinate programs and services • Provide flexibility to meet local needs • Minimize developmental delays

  4. Purpose (cont.) • Enhance federally funded programs • Strengthen family engagement • Reduce need for special services • Include children with disabilities • Improve availability and quality of programs

  5. Grant Types Priority All current and former priority school districts Competitive At least one priority school & in the 50 lowest wealth ranked

  6. Important Facts • Awarded bi-annually • Chief elected official and superintendent jointly apply and commit • At least 60% of enrolled children must be at or below 75% SMI (waiver available) • Must have a School Readiness Council

  7. Quality ComponentsRequired by Legislation • Plan for collaboration • Parent outreach and involvement • Record keeping • Referrals for health services • Plan for pre-literacy practices and training

  8. Quality Components (cont.) • Nutrition services • Referrals to family literacy programs • Admission policies • Transition to kindergarten • Professional development • Sliding fee for families • Inclusion of children with special needs • Annual evaluation

  9. School Readiness Councils (SRCs)GP C-01 • Convened jointly by the chief elected official and superintendent (or their designees) • Responsible for shared decision making • Establish local policy (consistent with OEC GPs and guidance)

  10. SRC Membership • Chief elected official (or designee) • Superintendent (or designee) • Parents • Local programs (e.g., Head Start, FRC, private centers, family day care) • McKinney-Vento liaison (homelessness) • Health care provider(s)

  11. SRC ResponsibilitiesOversight of SR funding to ensure all funding requirements are met. • Make recommendations on issues relating to SR (e.g., local grant awards) • Foster partnerships • Monitor local programs • Identify resources • Coordinate delivery of services

  12. SRC Responsibilities (cont.) • Share information • Make recommendations to school officials regarding transition to kindergarten • Encourage public participation

  13. Space Types

  14. Enrollment Eligibility • Three- and four-year-olds • Five-year-olds if not eligible for K • 60% must be at or below 75% SMI • Residency options (GP C-06)

  15. Accreditation/Approval GP B-05 • Newly funded programs must • achieve NAEYC Accreditation or Head Start approval within three years. • meet interim quality measure requirement (ECERS-3) • Loss of Accreditation or approval impacts funding

  16. Fees • Must charge a family fee* based on sliding fee scale (GP B-02) • Sliding fee schedule provided by OEC (GP B-01) *part-day fees at the discretion of the SRC

  17. Staff Qualifications*GP A-01 *Other qualifying options are listed in GP A-01

  18. Early Childhood Professional Registry • The Professional Registry provides program level data that illustrates compliance with state requirements • All School Readiness liaisons must have an account Failure to comply may result in a reduction of funding or impact future funding decisions.

  19. Liaison ResponsibilitiesGP C-01 Responsible for the coordination, evaluation, and administration of the grant. Functions include: • Staffing the SRC • Coordinating grant application process • Providing technical assistance to programs • Working with fiscal agent • Developing sub-grantee contracts

  20. Liaison Responsibilities (cont.)GP C-01 • Assisting families with enrollment • Conducting community outreach • Meeting with SR providers regularly • Conducting regular site visits • Monitoring • Collaborating with LEA • Recruiting eligible programs

  21. Liaison Responsibilities (cont.)GP C-01 • Managing and archiving records • Attending OEC liaison meetings • Responding to OEC requests for information • Supporting development and implementation of communities EC plan • Representing the SRC • Monitoring Professional Registry • Completing all reports on time

  22. Conflict of Interest To ensure bias-free implementation of the grant, it is necessary that the Liaison remain impartial. Liaisons cannot be • employed by a School Readiness-funded program; • supervised by a School Readiness funder; or • a SRC co-chair.

  23. OEC Contacts School Readiness Main Line 860-713-6452 Andrea Brinnel, Program Manager Andrea.Brinnel@ct.gov 860-713-6771 Alissa Marotta, Slots & Fiscal Alissa.Marotta@ct.gov 860-713-6742

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