Talking points for the Draft Strategic Plan of the Access to Early Care

Sub-Committee of the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Youth

October, 2003

 

Why do we need to change what we're doing? - there are lots of good programs now for kids?

Addressing early childhood issues has been a priority for the State of Vermont for many years. While Vermont has several important subsystems, it has no discernable unified system of early care, health and education services that are consistent and accessible to all Vermont families with young children. For over a decade we have heard from families and providers that there are significant service gaps as well as overlaps. This plan advances existing efforts to ensure that early care, health and education services are coordinated effectively and lead to improved outcomes for all children birth to age eight in the areas of health, school readiness and other measures of child and family well-being.

 

What is the proposed state structure?

A non-profit, public-private partnership of state government decision-makers and private sector leaders who would lead statewide planning and policy development, coordinate and develop resources for Vermont's early care, health and education system.

 

What is the proposed local structure?

A local affiliate of the state partnership would exist in each region to coordinate, integrate and ensure the accountability of community-based supports and services for all young children and their families.

 

What is the background for this proposal?

Vermont began this process over a year and a half ago when we received a grant from North Carolina's Smart Start National Technical Assistance Center. The grant included a detailed assessment and set of recommendations that were the result of site visits, observations and interviews with key stakeholders and organizations. Since then the Access to Early Care, Education and Prevention Sub-Committee of the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Youth has guided and overseen a broad, thoughtful process to develop a strategic plan that addresses the overall coordination of our early care, health and education system

 

How will this be funded?

While we expect some new investment by the state, the state partnership board will be a non-profit entity whose legislative mandate will be to raise private funds as well to support the system. Local affiliates will also have this opportunity. A finance map that shows where funds are currently being invested will be used as a decision making tool to assess current investments and identify where funds are needed as well as where efficiencies may be achieved. Efficiencies will also be realized by directing funding to targeted priorities and streamlining some administrative structures.

 

Is this a final plan?

This is a work in progress, a proposed structure that is currently "under construction." However, it represents the input and best thinking of several hundred stakeholders who are committed to improving our early care, health and education system to better serve Vermont's young children and families. The Access to Early Care, Education and Prevention Sub-Committee will make its final recommendations to the Douglas Administration by early December as part of a comprehensive strategic plan.

 

What about the Department of Education?

DOE's Early Education Coordinator is a member of the Sub-Committee overseeing this grant, and some education representatives served on task groups. DOE is an identified and equal partner. However, because of changes in leadership positions, fully engaging DOE continues to be a priority focus for the Sub-Committee.

How does this fit with AHS reorganization?

AHS leadership is supportive and involved in this work and sees it as a possible model for thoughtfully restructuring a variety of services within their reorganization initiative. However, it is a separate process.

 

How will decisions be made locally?

Much of the real decision making about needs and how to direct funding to targeted priorities will take place at the local level through the local affiliates of the State Partnership. These regional entities will have diverse representation that mirrors the state board.

 

How will local Affiliates and consumers/parents be represented on the State Partnership? Draft legislation stipulates that two local affiliate board chairs and two consumers/parents be members of the state board. Consumers are also mandated as part of the local affiliate boards, and can serve on subcommittees at both the state and local level.

 

Is this system only addressing special populations of kids?

The system is designed to serve ALL children. Some of the funding might be restricted to specific categories especially when federal funds are involved, but the overarching goal is to reach children regardless of socio­economic status, including the many whose parents rely on child care and do not receive state subsidies.

 

Doesn't this add another level of organizations and boards when we have too many now? The proposed state and local entities will replace administrative entities that already exist (especially at the local level - e.g. Early Childhood Councils). The Access to Early Care Sub-Committee would likely dissolve and the Early Childhood Steering Committee will likely become a committee of the state board.

 

What are the advantages of a Public/Private partnership?

The public/private partnership brings an important balance of expertise to the board - both those within state government and those from the private sector - as well as new opportunities. It will be able to raise new funds to support the system and is positioned to take on a more direct advocacy role than a state agency can.

 

What are additional benefits of the proposed structure?

      -     More equitable distribution of resources;

      -     Ties resources to specific outcomes;

      -     Centralizes functions (data, indicators, accountability, and technical assistance) which can save administrative costs;

      -     Legislation will require state agencies to coordinate budgets to met service needs without overlap or duplication.

 

What's next?

The Access to Early Care Sub-Committee will make decisions about changes to the draft Strategic Plan at their October meeting based on the feedback collected from stakeholders. A revised plan will be written and widely disseminated and recommendations will be made to the Douglas Administration. Two upcoming events offer opportunities for stakeholder input and advancement of the initiative:

 

1) Vermont Interactive Television Session on November 4th from Noon to 1:30 offers interested community stakeholders an opportunity to ask questions and offer recommendations.

 

2) A special Stakeholders Session will be held on November 10th in Waterbury to present the highlights of the Plan with key stakeholders who have not been closely involved in the development of the plan, e.g. legislators, new commissioners and business leaders, as well as early childhood representatives.

 

For more information, e-mail K.C. Whiteley at kcw@ahs.state.vt.us or call 241-2705.