FIRST STEPS THE NRVS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

FIRST STEPS

THE NRV’S EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT NETWORK QUARTERLY MEETING ~ APRIL 15, 2020

Welcome

Jessica Wirgau, Community Foundation of the New River Valley

What is First Steps?

A network of organizations and individuals that provide programs, services, and

• pportunities for our region’s young children, their parents, and their caregivers.

Our shared priorities: 1. Increase knowledge about and access to available services through an early childhood education and development information hub. 2. Identify shared values and messaging so agencies can speak with a common voice about the importance of early childhood. 3. Support and strengthen the early childhood education and development workforce through professional development, recognition, and compensation.

Our Agenda

• Remarks from Emily Griffey, Policy Director for Voices for

Virginia’s Children

• Work Group Updates and Activities:
• Common Voice – Kim Thomason and Meghan Pfleiderer
• Workforce – Bonnie Graham
• Info Hub – Katie Thompson and Andi Golusky
• Closing Remarks and Thanks

Emily Griffey

Policy Director Voices for Virginia’s Children

vakids.org

BIG News!

The funding will be used to increase the availability of child care services for essential personnel and support child care centers by:

• Providing incentive grants to child care providers that are open,

from now through the end of June;

• Eliminating co-payments through June for low-income, working

families who receive federal child care subsidy dollars;

• Preparing schools to act as emergency child care centers, where

needed; and

• Providing additional funding for child care providers that participate

in the federal subsidy program, but have had to close. This will help ensure they are ready to welcome children back as soon as this crisis has passed.

https://www.governor.virgini a.gov/newsroom/all- releases/2020/april/headline

• 856150-en.html

Work Group Updates & Activities

Common Voice

• Advocacy Letter to Government

Officials

• Templates for Educators, Parents,

and Community Members Work Group Update & Activities

Workforce

To support and strengthen the early childhood education and development workforce in the NRV through:

• Professional development
• Recognition
• Compensation

Priorities & Call to Action

Workforce

Progress:

• Gathering data of existing resources in the

NRV

• Compensation
• Professional Development
• EC Systems
• Perception and Cultural Dynamics
• Assets
• Listening to the current workforce

Next Steps:

• Continue to grasp a collective and clear

understanding of the NRV workforce.

• Identify and address gaps in services and

barriers to a strong workforce.

• Capitalize on the potential and momentum in

early childhood to support NRV.

Progress & Next Steps

Workforce

Collective Thinking and Capacity

• Strengths of First Steps / Workforce

Group

• Collaboration
• Collective thinking - across the NRV
• Passion
• Invest in wide and deep participation and

gathering of data to strengthen NRV workforce capacity Patterns emerging to focus support

• Director’s/administrator’s role is key
• Infant and toddler care
• Private Centers

Collective Thinking & Workforce Capacity

Info Hub

• Continued focus on building networks

and expanding access to resources

• Pausing in-person “Meet Yourself”
• Currently exploring the idea of virtual

“Meet Yourself” sessions Work Group Updates & Activities

Closing & Thanks

I will breathe

I will think of solutions. I will not let my worry control me. I will not let me stress level break me. I will simply breathe and it will be okay because I don’t quit.

THANK YOU!

FIRST STEPS: THE NRV’S EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT NETWORK