IL Early Childhood Diversity Initiative Early Learning Council October 21, 2013

Project History & Process BUILD training & technical assistance grant October 2011 IL Leadership Team: IDHS, ISBE & Gateways Proposal included QRS standards review assistance & learning table Broadened the QRS focus to be more comprehensive In tandem with RTTT & QRIS re- development

Project History & Process 1 st stakeholders’ meeting February 2012: small; state agencies, Head Start, City of Chicago & BUILD project advisors, Aisha Raye & Luisiana Melendez 2 nd stakeholder meeting July 2012: much larger; advocates, funders, key program organizations, ELC Committee Chairs, PDAC & Latino Policy Forum

Project History & Process Guiding Principles document drafted from notes & comments of both meetings Shared twice with July meeting attendees by end 2012 Shared with IAT April 2013 & ELC Exec Committee October 2013

Theoretical Starting Points Multicultural Principles for Head Start Programs Serving Children Ages Birth to Five (original & revisited/updated) Early Childhood Systems Working Group system frames & elements BUILD/Coffman System Framework Evaluation & Theory of Change

Diversity (Culturally &) Developmentally Appropriate Practices (BUILD) Mono-Cultural (Dominant Culture) World Multi-Cultural World Rich language and literacy environment Rich language and literacy environment supporting dual-multiple language learning Age-appropriate social and emotional development Age-appropriate race, language and culture identity development that values child’s culture and models respect for other cultures Intentional learning environment/curriculum Intentional learning environment in context and building on cultural backgrounds Parent involvementFamily/village involvement Skilled teachersTeachers skilled in and reflecting the race, language, and culture backgrounds of children

Early Learning Health, Mental Health and Nutrition Family Support Special Needs/ Early Intervention Early care and education opportunities in nurturing environments where children can learn what they need to succeed in school and life. Economic and parenting supports to ensure children have nurturing and stable relationships with caring adults. Early identification, assessment and appropriate services for children with special health care needs, disabilities, or developmental delays Comprehensive health services that meet children’s vision, hearing, nutrition, behavioral, and oral health as well as medical health needs. State EC System: Devd. by Early Childhood Systems Working Group

Families Supported and Children Thriving Financing sufficient to assure comprehensive quality services based on standards Governance to set policy direction for the comprehensive system Provider / practitioner support to offer technical assistance and promote professional development Standards reflect effective practices, programs, & practitioners and are aligned across the system Research & development includes cross-system data, planning, analysis, and evaluation Monitoring to track program performance and results based on standards Communications to inform families, providers, and the public Core Elements of EC System: Devd. by Early Childhood Systems Working Group

Evaluation and Self-Assessment Framework CONTEXT Successfully building a political context leads to resources that CONNEC TIONS Create better linkages between componen ts COMPONE NTS Establish effective programs and services SCALE The system can produce broad impacts for system beneficiaries INFRA- STRUCTU RE Create supports that enable programs to operate effectively From “A Framework for Evaluating Systems Initiatives”, Julia Coffman

SCALEINFRASTRUCTURECONNECTIONSCOMPONENTSCONTEXT Activities: Improving the political context so it produces the policy and funding changes needed to create and sustain the system Outcomes: Recognition of system need Policy changes Political will Public Engagement Activities: Establishing high- performance programs and services within the system that produce results for system beneficiaries Outcomes: New or expanded programs Improved program quality Activities: Creating strong effective linkages across system components that improve results for system beneficiaries Outcomes: Shared goals, standards Cross-system training Referrals/follow- ups Activities: Developing the supports systems need to function effectively and with quality Outcomes: Cross-system governance Leveraged use of funding Mechanisms for two-way communication Activities: Ensuring a comprehensive system is available to as many people as possible so it produces broad and inclusive results Outcomes: System spread, depth, sustainability Shifts in system ownership Theory of Change Menu for Systems Initiatives From “A Framework for Evaluating Systems Initiatives”, Julia Coffman

Illinois Guiding Principles for Cultural & Linguistic Responsiveness Vision: In Illinois, we share a collective vision that each and every child will have early childhood experiences that promote healthy development that respects, promotes, and builds on their racial, ethnic, and other family backgrounds and experiences.

We Believe Every individual is rooted in culture. The cultural groups within communities & families are the primary sources for culturally relevant programming. Culturally relevant & diverse programming requires learning accurate information about the culture of different groups & discarding stereotypes. Addressing cultural relevance in making curriculum choices is a necessary developmentally appropriate practice.

We Believe Every individual has the right to maintain his or her own identity while acquiring the skills required to function in our diverse society. Effective programs for children who speak languages other than English require continued development of the 1 st language while the acquisition of English is facilitated. Culturally relevant programming requires staff who both reflect & are responsive to the community and families served.

We Believe Multicultural programming for children enables children to develop awareness of, respect for, and appreciation of individual cultural differences. Culturally relevant & diverse programming examines & challenges institutional & personal biases. Culturally relevant & diverse programming & practices are incorporated in all systems & services and are beneficial to all adults & children.

We Are Committed to Early childhood professionals who understand that developing a child’s first language supports the acquisition of a second language. Early childhood classrooms that embrace and include a rich range of diversity, allowing all to learn from it, and enhancing all children’s learning and development. Teacher preparation programs that incorporate the individual and unique needs of each child and families and the experiences they bring to the classroom.

We Are Committed to Culturally responsive and diverse programming that incorporates all types of diversity, including but not limited to: gender, culture, language, ethnicity, ability, race and economic status. Policy interpretation that reinforces families and communities as children’s first teachers. Diverse state and local organizations and agencies that are meaningfully responsive to each and every child and family they serve.

We Will Act to Enable professionals to incorporate the authentic language & culture of the children & families they serve. Increase professional development opportunities & resources addressing all types of diversity, including understanding stereotypes & biases. Increase all types of diversity content in teacher preparation programs.

We Will Act to Increase & enhance teacher preparation practicum experiences in diverse settings. Promote practices in classrooms & programs that incorporate & address the diverse needs of children. Use an “all types of diversity” lens whenever we develop & implement policy, staff our agencies/organizations & evaluate our programming, systems & services.

Illinois Guiding Principles for Cultural & Linguistic Responsiveness Next Steps Adopt & distribute the document Embrace in all of our organizations Share with staff and add your own “We Will Act to” statements Training Other Ideas

For they are all our children. And we will all profit by, or pay for, whatever they become. --James Baldwin