We want to share a few exciting things that DEL and our partners are currently
working on even in these lazy days of summer!
Consortium for High Quality Infant/Toddler Care
DEL is proud to be participating in the newly formed Consortium for High Quality Infant/Toddler Care, which is committed to integrating and building on the existing early learning systems in Washington, including Early Achievers, Infant/Toddler Consultation Services, early intervention, and the existing home visiting and Early Head Start programs.
State consortium members agree to contribute resources and develop policy supports that prioritize services for programs that join the Consortium. In turn, program members agree to commit to common state quality standards and outcome measures, and to contribute to statewide learning about the resources, practices and strategies infant/toddler programs need to implement high quality care and services. Launched by partners from across the state, the Consortium is initially focused on supporting programs that will apply for the recently released federal application for Early Head Start/Child Care Partnership grants.
State and programs members of the Consortium have agreed to sign a
Memorandum of Understanding that outlines the available resources of each State
Partner as well as the benefits and requirements of the Program Partners. DEL has agreed to provide ongoing
administrative support to the Consortium through the Head Start State Collaborative
Office.
DEL
staff and our partners at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Child Care Aware of Washington, Thrive by
Five of Washington, and the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP
spent two full days reviewing 35 applications for the 1,350 new ECEAP slots that the Legislature has funded for school year 2014-15.
It was a great opportunity to work together
to ensure that Washington’s preschool program will garner the best outcomes
possible.
Federal preschool grant opportunity
The U.S. Department of Education has announced that they will be
issuing a competitive preschool grant to states to increase access to
high-quality preschool programs in high-need communities. The grant application is expected to be
released later this summer.
Through this opportunity, Washington is eligible to apply for an expansion grant of $70 million over
four years to:
Implement and sustain high-quality preschool programs
to reach and serve additional eligible children; and
Enhance preschool program infrastructure and
make quality improvements to deliver high-quality preschool programs.
This funding would help our state's efforts to offer high-quality preschool to more eligible children, as we have committed to do by school year 2018-19.
DEL will be convening work groups, and working with policymakers and stakeholders to get
broad input and feedback on Washington’s potential application.
Washington's RTT-ELC work highlighted in new report
A new report issued at the White House Summit on Working Families on June 23 highlights the work Washington and other states are doing with their Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge grants to support families with high-quality care and education.