Museums and Libraries Partnership for Parent, Family and Community Engagement

Race to the TopEarly Learning Challenge Grant

June 12, 2012

Early Learning Challenge Grant, From Birth to School Readiness: Massachusetts Early Learning Plan, 2012-2015, EEC articulated its vision for strengthening the basic foundation of our early learning system by increasing capacity and support from other agencies and private sector partners in the community.

Over the next four years, EEC will invest up to $600,000 to implement a statewide strategy that provides a shared framework and set of resources that will bolster the capacity of museums and libraries, in partnership with EEC’s CFCE grantees, to support the optimal development of all children, especially those with high needs, and support families in their essential work as their child’s first teacher.

Background : Museums and Libraries

In alignment with all of EEC’s work with families, this initiative will incorporate the Strengthening Families framework and approach, which has widespread support from social science researchers, early childhood practitioners and policy experts.

Through this collaboration, EEC will strengthen existing relationships and further integrate an evidence-based framework for early childhood programming and family engagement into Massachusetts children’s museums and libraries.

These collaborations will extend the reach of EEC initiatives, such as the Brain Building in Progress public awareness campaign.

Background : Museums and Libraries

Four Areas of Focus

Early Literacy

School Readiness (preparation for Kindergarten)

STEM

Brain Building in Progress

Countdown to Kindergarten 2011

Brain Building in Progress!

Launched on May 4, 2012Commissioner KillinsEEC StaffChildren’s MuseumsMassachusetts Board of Library CommissionersCoordinated Community & Family Engagement SpecialistsEarly Childhood Resource CentersEarly childhood consultantsBoston Public SchoolsBCM staff

Shelly Quezada, Consultant for the Underserved MA Board of Library Commissioners

Kim Dewall, ECRC Coordinator

Falmouth Public Library

Karin Rubin, Director

Amelia ParkChildren’s MuseumWestfield, MA

Next Steps

June/July – FAQs, formal survey, meet with reps, create directory

August – Countdown to Kindergarten celebrations and train-the-trainers for Kindergarten readiness, library strategy developed

September – Road trip to assess community involvement by Museums, library strategy launched, STEM training

October/December – Connect!