Preschool Partnership Initiative: Increasing Access and Support

Commonwealth Commonwealth Preschool Preschool Partnerships Partnerships Initiative Initiative School Committee Presentation

Funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Explore ways to expand local access for 3- and 4- year-olds What is the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI)? Increase access to meet the diverse needs of families and to support children with disabilities Study impact expansion will have on infant and toddler services

Why a Leadership Why a Leadership Team? Team? The CPPI work relies on a diverse and connected group of leaders and decision makers The Leadership Team provides grounding to the strategic plan

Needs Assessment Priority Strands Strand 1: Expand Access to Strand 1: Expand Access to Preschool Preschool Strand 2: Building Locally Aligned Strand 2: Building Locally Aligned Quality Quality Strand 3: Equitable Access to SPED Strand 3: Equitable Access to SPED and Inclusion and Inclusion EC Services

Top Priorities Across Strands Top Priorities Across Strands Children and Families I: Expansion and Access to Quality Preschool II: Building Locally Aligned Quality III: Equitable Access to SPED and Inclusion Demographics and local composition of families Quality Curriculum and Assessment Supporting Diverse Learners Transitions and Referrals Demographics and local composition of families Supporting Diverse Learners Supply and Capacity Cost of Care Local Supports SPED Needs Screening Screening

Needs Assessment Needs Assessment Data Gathering Data Gathering Methods Methods Existing Data Sources Family Surveys Program Surveys Interviews and Focus Groups This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

Increases understanding needs of families, programs and children with disabilities Why is this Why is this work work important? important? Supports strategic implementation plan development Provides the basis for future funding

Future Funding Future Funding 6.0 million dollars 6.0 million dollars Decision Making Criteria 12 Eligible Communities 12 Eligible Communities including Milton including Milton Quality of the Grant Proposal Funding Scenarios $500,000 per community $500,000 per community Number of Priority Strands Addressed Less $$ depending on number of priority Less $$ depending on number of priority strands addressed strands addressed More $$ targeted for Gateway Cities (3 of More $$ targeted for Gateway Cities (3 of the 12 cities and towns) the 12 cities and towns) Size of the Community Other?

Reflection Some ideas that square with my Some ideas that square with my thinking thinking A thought going around in A thought going around in my head my head Three points I would like to remember Three points I would like to remember www.earlychildhoodassociatesinc. 9