What tools are helpful?

The demonstration learning communities are developing tools and templates, as well as identifying resources, to facilitate program implementation in their communities.  

Here are examples from Coffeyville, Liberal and Rossville, along with some templates and resources, which may be helpful to other communities as they begin developing collaborative preschool services:

  • Strategic Plan Example from Rossville
  • Project Coordinator’s Start-Up DLC Work Plan Example from Rossville
  • 2010-11 Monthly Task List Example from Rossville
  • Comparative Program Standards Matrix
  • Joint Preschool Program Application Example from Liberal
  • Flow Chart-Recruitment to Enrollment Example from Liberal
  • Parent Survey Example from Coffeyville
  • "Early Childhood Collaborative Programs: Early Childhood Special Education, Four-Year-Old At-Risk, Head Start, and Early Childhood -- Funding Questions and Answers"
  • "Head Start Requirements Related to Cost Allocation"

Learn below why each tool or document is important in its community, and then take a look at it.

Strategic Plan Example from Rossville

Strategic planning is a critical process for building community partnerships for preschool programs. Through this process, community partners discuss and define their vision, mission, guiding principles, goals and objectives.

“Our strategic planning process helped build the strong relationships we have with our partners and project team.  The Rossville Strategic Plan we developed is a foundation for our preschool program and serves as a guide for our more detailed program plans, such as the 2010-11 Monthly Task List.”

--Jim McDaniel, Superintendent, Kaw Valley USD

 

Project Coordinator’s Start-Up DLC Work Plan Example from Rossville

In July 2009, prior to the preschool collaboration starting in August, Angie Brungardt, Demonstration Learning Community (DLC) Project Coordinator in Rossville, created this Rossville Start-Up DLC Work Plan to document and prioritize tasks that needed her oversight.  Angie said, “It was a useful tool during the new program start-up since there were many changes from the early childhood program implemented in Rossville previously.”

 

2010-11 Monthly Task List Example from Rossville

With the first year of the preschool partnership in Rossville nearing its end, the project team leaders set the goal of creating a monthly task list or operating plan for the program’s second year.  All program implementers worked together to create the Rossville 2010-11 Monthly Task List.  It defines the preschool partners’ roles and responsibilities each month and allows the program to track both individual staff and group successes. 

By having those who will carry out the tasks create the plan, the process promoted ownership of tasks on the list and strengthened the collaboration among program counterparts.  The process became as important as the end product.

“In the preschool world, it’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day tasks that help create a successful preschool program.  Without shared goals and clearly defined responsibilities, the important goal of integrating all preschool partners into the program can get lost in the shuffle.  This tool can also spark conversations between partners that might not happen without it.” 

--Angie Brungardt, DLC Project Coordinator, Rossville

 

Comparative Program Standards Matrix

To make the alignment of program standards easier, the demonstration communities have developed a Comparative Program Standards Matrix, which shows Head Start Performance Standards, special education standards, and Four-Year-Old Standards, side-by-side by category. Combined with the primary program resources, which are essential in understanding the philosophy and intent of each program's standards, this matrix becomes a valuable tool.

 

Joint Preschool Program Application Example from Liberal  (recently revised)

In Fall 2010, Liberal School District #480 and the Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL) Head Start integrated children in one classroom for the first time at the district’s early learning center.  Team members said that developing the Liberal Joint Preschool Program Application and the Flow Chart - Recruitment to Enrollment (below), has been a positive experience.  “The development process increased communication between our agencies and makes the recruitment and enrollment process much easier,” said Julie Wright, Director (Liberal), KCSL Head Start.

The Joint Application will provide both agencies needed information to better serve and coordinate services for children and their families.  Having only one application form will also reduce confusion for parents, who may apply at various school center or Head Start sites.

Liberal USD #480 and Kansas Children's Service League Head Start conducted a very successful pre-application process during a one and one-half day event.  The events occurred February 28 and March 1, 2011, and the joint application was completed for 233 children.

 

Flow Chart-Recruitment to Enrollment Example from Liberal

Developing the Liberal Flow Chart allowed both the school district and Head Start to determine the sequence and each organization's responsibilities for the recruitment and enrollment process.

 

Parent Survey Example from Coffeyville

A survey can provide valuable feedback from parents on multiple program areas of their child’s early learning program, including any concerns they may have about them. Like other user surveys, it assists providers in determining how consumers feel about the quality of services being delivered. 

All partners in the collaboration worked together to develop a Coffeyville Parent Survey to use the first year of their program. It was administered in the fall and again in the spring.

According to Jennifer Bright, principal in Coffeyville USD, “The survey has helped us identify program strengths and weaknesses related to curriculum, communication, parent involvement, school safety and the learning climate.”  With feedback from their Parent Survey, Coffeyville partners are improving their program and better meeting the needs of their children and families.

 

DLC Coffeyville Staff Orientation Plan

An effective staff orientation process is a critical component for the successful implementation of an integrated preschool classroom model.  The Coffeyville DLC project developed and effectively implemented the attached staff orientation plan.

 

Here are resources to assist with braiding funds.

Braiding funds is a requirement for the KPP models.  Given that funding needs and resources in each community differ, based on the children and families served, each community’s fiscal plan will differ significantly. Here are two resources to assist in developing a funding plan:

I don’t know what we would have done without the preschool this year.  They have helped our whole family.  They have found us food banks and helped with doctor appointments. I live way...

-- Parent, Rossville

Our bottom line is, ‘Are we doing what’s best for kids and families?'

-- Diane Hensley, Parent and Family Liaison, Liberal USD

I also attend parent meetings now, especially since there is someone to help me.  I come as often as I can.  The meetings are very full of helpful information.

-- Luisa Ensaldo, Parent, Coffeyville

In our new early childhood center, it’s amazing to see adults and children, sitting around a table in their classroom and eating a meal together, just like a family would eat dinner at home. That’...

-- Robert Morton, Ed.D., Superintendent, Coffeyville USD

It's exciting to enhance our programs for young children by combining our efforts and strengths with other agencies in our community.

-- Laura Cano, Federal Programs Director, Liberal USD

In the first two weeks that our son was here, they identified the things he needed help with and came to us... It's just so exciting to see him develop and change and become the little boy that we...

-- Foster Parent, Rossville

The Hamm Early Learning Center is worthwhile and working!  It’s taking a lot of dedication, hard work and collaboration of all the partnerships.

-- Tammy Blaich, M.S., L.C.P., Four County Mental Health, Coffeyville

By collaborating, we truly serve the whole child and family by developing academic readiness and providing comprehensive services, such as general health, mental health, dental, and nutrition.

-- Linda Broyles, Director (Coffeyville), SEK-CAP Head Start

The inclusion program has helped my son with more than his academics.  His self-esteem is up, he is learning good social skills, and he’s having a fun time doing it.

-- Lexi Amos-Lyddon, Parent, Liberal

Each partner program brought its strengths to our collaboration, so that we find we’re doing better things together than we were doing separately.

-- Ann McCullough, Principal, Kaw Valley USD

Read more...

Local and state K-12 leaders are finding that collaborating with community-based providers such as Head Start programs, child care centers and faith-based organizations can help them develop and implement high-quality pre-k programs that meet the needs of young children and their families in a comprehensive way.

Read the report, "Beyond the School Yard: Pre-K Collaborations with Community-Based Partners".

 

School districts across the nation are blending preschool classrooms.  Mary Baskett, Executive Director of Kansas Head Start Association, and the Demonstration Learning Communities project are featured on Early Ed Watch, a blog from New America's Early Education Initiative.

Read the article, "All in One Classroom: Blending Head Start and Non-Head Start Students".