Effective Community Councils: Supporting Our Children Rebekah Duchette Boone County CECC
Jan 12, 2016
Effective Community Councils: Supporting Our Children Rebekah Duchette
Boone County CECC
Challenges and Elephants
• What are the challenges and elephants in the room that limit your council
Goal of CECCs The primary goal of all Community Early
Childhood Councils (CECCs) is to build innovative, collaborative partnerships that promote school readiness for children and families.
Children Enter Kindergarten Ready
High Quality Early Learning
EnvironmentsSupportive Families Access to Data
Participation in STARS
A great early childhood workforce
Families understand child health and
developmental needs
Common Kindergarten
Entry Screener
Families are engaged
Children have access to
appropriate services
Data is shared by early childhood
programs
Scholarships & PD Plans
Educate
• What issues are at the top?• How does the issue impact families, children and
council agencies?• How does the issue look different for different
entities? • What data is available on the issue? • Who is an expert on the issue? • What biases exist in the discussion?
Listen• Real listening means being open to influence and
sometimes changing your view on an issue. • With real listening the
quality of the dialogue increases
• Chairs balance the need to share information, promote CECC work with creating a format for the group to set topics and ask the questions.
Advocate and Publicize
• Use state resources like the monthly message from Governor’s Office of Early Childhood
• Publicize successes..BIG and SMALL….. new rated programs
CDA graduatescouncil work
Data driven work
• County profiles• KIDs Count• Agency data• Needs Assessment
Get members vested….
• Practice meeting ‘etiquette’• Keep the meeting productive• Make it relevant to all• Involve all in the discussion• Ask pointed questions
Effective Councils….
• Continually learn• Advocate and Educate the Community• Use data• Engage the community in
strategies to support K readiness