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last updated
April 2005

 

  

Action Plans

Resource Development

Strategy

We will work collaboratively to increase the availability, accessibility, quality, and affordability of preschool education and resources.

 

Action Plan #1
 

Provide the opportunity for existing entities (West Hartford  Early Childhood Council, Discovery Project, etc.) to collaborate within the larger structure of an Early Childhood Collaborative.

 

Steps:

  1. Identify membership in collaborative (i.e. parents, religious organization, town wide services, WHPS, business organizations, agencies, preschools, local colleges, etc.)

  2. Establish a coordinator position. (May be shared role/subcommittee.)

  3. Explore advantages (i.e. cost-sharing, training, staff development, tax benefits, etc.) of collaborative membership.

  4. Define the organizational structure (i.e. board of directors, coordinator, members) for the collaborative.

  5. Define roles of collaborative (i.e. Fund management, preschool education, program/capacity expansion for increasing enrollment demand.).

 

 

Action Plan #2
 

Establish an Early Childhood Fund  that will be used to subsidize ongoing monetary needs related to early care and education.

 

Steps:

  1. Define goals and objectives of fund (scholarship opportunities, program development).

  2. Identify steps by which the West Hartford Board of Education and Town Council may contribute to the Fund.

  3. Seek grants (local/ state/ federal/ private) and contributions from other resources for the fund.

  4. Create opportunities through which the Fund can raise money on an ongoing basis (e.g. payroll deduction, annual appeal, etc.).

  5. Explore eligibility for non-profit status for Fund.

 

Action Plan #3
 

Implement new and strengthen existing early care and education programs to increase accessibility. 

 

Steps:

  1. Conduct a needs assessment of existing programs in relation to facilities, space, staffing, equipment, needs, and cost related issues.

  2. Consider expansion possibilities of existing programs utilizing resources (i.e. expand Family Resource Centers).

  3. Consider utilization of WHPS facility/staffing resources for training, programming, and space needs.

  4. Explore and identify cost-effective alternatives for transportation of preschoolers requiring services.

  5. Explore partnering with a local organization or charity that will work yearly to build our visibility and help raise money for our efforts.

  6. Explore and identify tax deductions offered by individuals and businesses that contribute to Early Education fund.

  7. Maintain clearinghouse of available preschool spaces.

 

Action Plan #4
 

Encourage programs to utilize "best practices" guidelines/concepts (State of Connecticut, Department of Education, NAEYC) to enhance quality of early care and education. 

 

Steps:

  1. Advocate for access to educational opportunities for early childcare providers.

  2. Identify ways in which resource sharing can enhance quality of early childhood education and care (local colleges).

  3. Encourage mentor relationship among collaborative members.