Early Learning Challenge (ELC) Grant Application

A voluntary federal initiative that helps states build more efficient and effective early learning systems for young children--infants, toddlers & preschoolers—and their families.

Not about program expansion Focus is on improving, linking & aligning Reflects Governor Shumlin’s commitment

and creates an incentive for other gubernatorial leadership for early childhood systems

What is the Early Learning Challenge?

• Strengthen infrastructure (standards, assessment, data system)

• Support quality/accountability through Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) – Vermont’s QRIS is STep Ahead Recognition System (STARS)

• Link/embed professional development to/in QRIS – STARS to build a quality workforce

• Addresses needs of most vulnerable children

What is the Early Learning Challenge? Quality as Basis for Public Investment

◦ Produces better education, health, family and economic outcomes

◦ Key to increasing school readiness, academic achievement, college graduation, good citizenship and a productive workforce

◦ Help states get the most out of investments in education, health, public safety and economic development

Our Vision: Why Quality Early Learning Matters

Vision Statement: All Vermont children will be healthy and successful.

Mission Statement: All Vermont families and young children will have

access to a high quality, comprehensive early childhood system that meets their needs and therefore ensures school readiness and ongoing success, self-development, health and well-being. 

Vermont will integrate, enhance and expand existing systems of early care, health, education and family support services to achieve this goal.

Our Vision: Early Learning Challenge

• States compete for the Early Learning Challenge

• The federal government, through the US Depts. of Education and Health and Human Services sets guidelines

• States are free to creatively build early learning systems that best meet the needs of local families and communities

• Challenge funds can supplement but not supplant

How It Works

Grant period: December 31, 2011 to December 31, 2015.

Funding Levels: (based on population of low-income young children)◦ Up to $100 million CA, FL, NY, TX◦ Up to $70 million AZ, GA, IL, MI, NC, OH, PA◦ Up to $60 million AL, CO, IN, KY, LA, MO, NJ, OK, PR,

SC, TN, VA, WA, WI◦ Up to $50 million AK, AR, CT, DE, DC, HI, ID, IA, KS,

ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MT, NE, NH, NM, NV, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WV, WY

Timeline: Applications due October 19, 2011. Total Funding Available for the Challenge: $500

million

How It Works: Timeline and Funding Levels

Absolute Priority/Must Address: Promoting School Readiness for Children with High Needs

Competitive Priority/Adds Points to Scoring: ◦ Including all Early Learning and Development Programs

in the Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System◦ Understanding the Status of Children’s Learning and

Development at Kindergarten Entry

Invitational Priority/No Points to Scoring: ◦ Sustaining Program Effects in the Early Elementary

Grades◦ Encouraging Private-Sector Support

How It Works: Challenge Priorities

1. Successful State Systems that include: demonstrated commitment to early learning and development; rationale for reform; aligned and coordinated system; and sustainable budget.

2. High-Quality, Accountable Programs with a statewide, validated QRIS and access to high quality programs for children with high needs.

3. Promoting Early Learning and Development Outcomes for Children through early learning and development standards, comprehensive assessment system, screening and addressing health, behavioral and developmental needs and family engagement.

4. A Great Early Childhood Education Workforce that includes a clear ladder of knowledge and competencies and support for providers to move up that ladder.

5. Measuring Outcomes and Progress including kindergarten entry assessment and/or building an early learning data system.

How it Works: 5 Areas that Must Be Addressed

Our Process and Our Approach Governor Shumlin’s office is leading Vermont’s

proposal and application The Governor appointed a Collaborative

Leadership Team that includesSecretary Doug Racine, Agency of Human ServicesCommissioner Armando Vilaseca, Department of

EducationCommissioner Dave Yacovone, Department for

Children and FamiliesSpecial Assistant to the Governor, Susan Bartlett

• Vermont will use the grant resources to significantly advance a shared agenda to strengthen existing state ECE systems and improve early learning and development outcomes for young Vermonters, particularly those with high needs.

Our Process and Our Approach

• The Leadership Team established a Drafting Team led by:• Deputy Commissioner Reeva Murphy-Child Development

Division, DCF/AHS and • Early Childhood Coordinator Manuela Fonseca, Dept of Education

• The team also includes:• Paul Behrman – VT Head Start Association• Jessica Cardichon – Senator Sander’s Office• Karin Edwards – Dept of Education• Karen Garbarino – Child Development Division, DCF/AHS• Deb Gass – Parent Child Center Network• Breena Holmes – MCH Director, VT Dept of Health/AHS• Kim Keiser-Building Bright Futures Council• Rae Ann Knopf – Dept of Education• Jan Walker – Child Development Division, DCF/AHS

Our Process and Our Approach

The Drafting Team assignment is to create a proposal that identifies key elements and strategies responsive to the grant application criteria.

The Drafting Team will reach out to stakeholders across Vermont for feedback on the grant application proposal.

Stakeholder input will be gathered through a variety of avenues including email, phone, website and meeting with groups.

Our Process and Approach

Send your input to the Leadership and Drafting Teams at: VTEarlyLearningChallenge@list.education.state.vt.us (email address not yet activated – will be activated when public announcement sent by the Leadership Team – expected to be no later than 09-12-11)

Website to post VT information will soon be available

Grant application information can be found at the US Department of Education website:

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop-earlylearningchallenge

For more information: