Effective Community Councils: Supporting Our Children

Rebekah DuchetteBoone 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